Goals from Rodrygo Goes, Nacho Fernandez and Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid seal a 3-2 comeback win over Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, ending the host’s unbeaten home run in La Liga this season.
(Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Karim Benzema nets a late winner for Real Madrid as they extend their lead at the top of the La Liga standing to 15 points, before Barcelona host Cadiz at the Camp Nou in the last fixture of round 32.
The host, unbeaten at home in the league so far this season having entertained 15 of the other 19 teams in the topflight before hosting the league leaders took the lead in the 21st minute through Ivan Rakitic from a direct free-kick.
The former Croatia international perfectly send the ball through the poorly organized Real Madrid wall and into the back of the net with Thibaut Courtois well beaten.
Four minutes later, Julen Lupetegui’s side were in Dreamland as Eric Lamela was a beneficiary of some awful defending by the visitors, with connecting with a headed through ball from Acuna before sending it across goal to Lamela with Courtois already beaten.
The former Tottenham Hotspur winger sends a first time shot into the back of the net to double the host’s advantage.
Sevilla, who had not score in each of their previous two home games against Real Madrid were in the driving seat, taking a two-goal lead to the halftime break.
However, Carlo Ancelotti made few alterations at the break and Rodrygo Goes, who was the only change for the Los Blancos reduced the deficit under five minutes after the restart.
After some good footwork down the left of the Madrid attack, Vinicius Junior left the ball for Dani Carvajal, who sends his cross into the middle and Rodrygo gets ahead of Diego Carlos to slot a first time shot into the net.
Real Madrid thought they were level in the 74th minute when Vinicius Junior was at the back post to connect with a cross, controls it via his chest but the referee, after consulting the VAR decides that it was a handball and the goal was ruled out to the frustration of the visitors.
The resultant earned Nacho Fernandez, who was on the sideline and not yet involved in a play a yellow card for his protest about the VAR decision not to award the goal.
Three minutes later, the Spanish defender was brought on to replace Lucas Vazquez and two minutes after coming on, Nacho restored parity for Real.
After Sevilla failed to clear their lines from a Madrid corner, the ball found its way to Carvajal, who then curls it back to Nacho. The defender took it in his stride to level matters for the visitors.
(Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Cometh the man, cometh the hour, two minutes into the seven of extra time, Rodrygo gets a pass from Vinicius in the Sevilla area then goes around a defender before sending a shot pass back into the centre of the area.
Karim Benzema was first to it and took a couple of touches before sending his shot into the back of the net to give Real Madrid the lead for the first time in the game.
Real held on for a 3-2 win that takes them 15 points ahead of Barcelona who have two games still to play with six more to go in the league this season.
Real Madrid will require at least ten more points from their remaining six games should Barcelona are to win all of their remaining games.
Carlo Ancelotti side return to league action next weekend with a Sunday night trip to Osasuna, while Sevilla travel to relegation threatened Levante as they look to secure their place in the top four this season.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
