Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde each scored first-half screamers as Real Madrid ended 2024 by beating Sevilla 4-2 at the Bernabeu.
The win moves the Los Blanco’s to second place in LaLiga.
Real quickly established a 2-0 lead via stunning strikes from Mbappe in the 10th minute and Valverde in the 20th, and the rampant start continued with Rodrygo adding a third in the 34th minute.
Sevilla replied via Isaac Romero a minute later, before Brahim Diaz netted the hosts’ fourth eight minutes into the second half.
Dodi Lukebakio subsequently pulled another goal back for the away side with five minutes of normal time remaining.
After Atletico Madrid won 2-1 at Barcelona on Saturday to replace the Catalan outfit at the top, this result saw Real leapfrog them as well.
Mbappe opened the scoring as he collected the ball from Rodrygo outside the box and sent a superb effort flying past Alvaro Fernandez.
And after the Frenchman miscued from a good position, skewing over the bar, Valverde doubled the advantage with a show-stopper from even further out, unleashing a 30-yard effort into the top corner.
Looking eager to get in on the act next as Real continued to dominate, Rodrygo hit a drive wide, then added the third by sweeping home from Vazquez’s pass.
Moments later Sevilla had a goal back, Romero heading in from Juanlu’s cross, but Real were soon back on the attack as Vazquez was denied by Fernandez.
The visitors had further attempts with Nemanja Gudelj bending a shot over in first-half stoppage-time and Romero seeing one parried by Thibaut Courtois early in the second.
Real’s fourth then arrived when Diaz blasted in following good work in the build-up from Vazquez and Mbappe, who provided the assist.
After Romero hit a shot wide, there was applause all around the stadium as 39-year-old Sevilla skipper Jesus Navas came off the bench for his 705th appearance for the club and final one before retirement.
Rodrygo was thwarted by Fernandez soon after, Mbappe fired over and Romero then almost had his second as he hit a low shot against the post, having been teed up by Navas.
The final stages saw Mbappe and Sevilla’s Albert Sambi Lokonga both have shots saved, before Lukebakio slotted in at the near post for 4-2, Courtois getting a touch but unable to stop the ball going in.
Real are now two points ahead of Barcelona, who have played a game more than both them and Atletico. (dpa/NAN)
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