Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of the LaLiga standings after a late 1-0 victory over Sevilla on Sunday evening.
Madrid made four changes following their draw against Rayo Vallecano, as Rodrygo Toni Kroos, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy all returned but they were without Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos through suspensions while Joselu was injured.
The game got off to a frantic start as Youssef En-Nesyri had a big chance for Sevilla after the first eight minutes but guided a first-time shot wide from a square pass at the back post.
However, Los Blancos gained control of the game after 15 minutes and snuffed out any opportunities for Sevilla, although they could not get clear-cut chances.
Following sustained pressure, Federico Valverde had a chance to break the deadlock for Carlo Ancelotti's men on the stroke of half-time after a cut-back by Vinicius Junior but his firm shot was pushed away by the strong hand of shot-stopper Orjan Nyland.
It was inexplicable how Madrid did not go ahead in the early stages of the second stanza after three minutes from the break Valverde was denied by the post.
Seven minutes later Vinicius Junior had another big chance for hosts with a curling effort that was punched away by Nyland.
Los Blancos kept on coming but got the same outcome in front of goal as in the last 21 minutes Rodrygo was also denied by Nyland with a strike from a tight angle.
Ancelotti made a tactical change with 15 minutes to go, as Luka Modric came on for Nacho.
And the change did the trick, as Modric broke the deadlock with nine minutes after firing home a strike from a rebound past Nyland.
Los Blancos managed the game well in the dying minutes as they denied Sevilla momentum and held on to the maximum points, as they extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points clear of second-placed Barcelona.
However, third-placed Girona can cut their lead to six points if they win against Rayo Vallecano on Monday evening.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!
