MY ACCOUNT
Rodrygo scored a deadly double as Real Madrid battled from behind to win 2-1 at 10-man Sevilla in LaLiga on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side strengthened their grasp on second place in the league after recovering from an early setback to triumph at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
Rodrygo’s free-kick cancelled out Rafa Mir’s early opener in an entertaining first half in Andalusia, where Madrid played without their star duo of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior.
Rodrygo’s second goal with just over 20 minutes remaining proved decisive before Marcos Acuna was dismissed as Madrid moved four points clear of rivals Atletico Madrid, who host Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Mir fired Sevilla into a third-minute lead after reacting quickly to sweep into the top-left corner when Bryan Gil’s initial effort ricocheted kindly into his path.
Rodrygo spurned a glorious opportunity to equalise shortly after, dragging wide when unmarked from Lucas Vazquez’s low cross – but the Madrid winger soon made amends.
An unsighted Yassine Bounou was deceived as Rodrygo whipped a 25-yard free-kick into the bottom-right corner after 29 minutes, although Sevilla should have been ahead at half-time.
Erik Lamela volleyed against the post with Thibaut Courtois stranded, before the forward lifted a back-post chance over after an inviting Alejandro Gomez delivery.
Rodrygo somehow lofted over when one-on-one with Bounou after the break, while Mir turned narrowly wide from Acuna’s pinpoint centre.
Yet Rodrygo proved the difference after 69 minutes, coolly finishing a rapid counter-attack by sliding into the bottom-right corner to down Sevilla, who saw Acuna dismissed later on for a mindless lunge on Vazquez.
What does it mean? Madrid find a way
Falling at the Champions League semi-final stage and losing to Barcelona in the title race, Madrid have little to play for in the remainder of the season.
Their performance for large parts at Sevilla may have offered Ancelotti reason for concern, although in true Madrid style, Los Blancos battled back and found a way to win.
As rumours swirl over the potential arrival of Jude Bellingham, Madrid will already be planning on how they bounce back next season.
Rampant Rodrygo
Madrid were without Benzema and Vinicius but the latter’s fellow Brazilian delivered in their absence.
Rodrygo has scored two braces in his last six games for Madrid across all competitions, just one fewer than in his previous 152 games for Los Blancos (three).
Luckless Los Blancos defence
Ancelotti’s side have struggled since the turn of the new year, failing to keep the pace with runaway champions Barcelona in LaLiga after repeated defensive issues.
Madrid have conceded 41 goals across all competitions since the mid-season World Cup, only Real Valladolid and Espanyol (both 44) have been breached more among LaLiga sides.
Key Opta facts
– Sevilla have lost 19 points from winning positions in LaLiga this season, more than any other side.
– Madrid have won 13 points from losing positions in LaLiga this season, a tally only bettered by Villarreal (17) and Girona (15).
– Toni Kroos attempted 133 passes during the game, the highest total for a player in LaLiga this season.
– Sevilla have lost after scoring the opening goal of a LaLiga match for the first time since January 14, 2023 (12 games without defeat).
What’s next?
Madrid conclude their LaLiga campaign by hosting Athletic Club on June 4. Meanwhile, Sevilla must dust themselves down quickly ahead of facing Roma in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
