Four points separate Real Madrid from their first league title since 2012, with a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo and a controversial opener from Nacho helping secure a 4-1 victory over Sevilla which was ultimately comfortable but looked touch and go for a long time.
Nacho’s quickly taken free-kick opener will be debated long and hard, but after Ronaldo netted the second Sevilla, who created most of the first half’s best chances, deservedly got themselves back into the game with an excellent strike from Stevan Jovetic just after the break.
The next 25 minutes were nervy as Madrid sat on their one-goal advantage knowing that a mishap could seriously damage their title bid, before Ronaldo conjured a moment of magic to provide a cushion and Toni Kroos netted the fourth.
Below is our ratings from Real’s win over Sevilla.
Kaylor Navas 8
Danilo 6
Raphael Varane 6
Sergio Ramos 6
Nacho 7
James Rodriguez 5
Mateo Kovacic 6 (Luka Modric)
Toni Kroos 7
Marco Asensio 7
Alvaro Morata 5 (Lucas Vazquez)
Cristiano Ronaldo 8
Casemiro for James (61′, 6), Lucas Vazquez for Morata (61′) Luka Modric for Kovacic (72′),
Sergio Rico 6
Gabriel Mercado 6
Martin Pareja 6
Daniel Caricco 6
Clement Lenglet 6
Michael Krohn-Dehli 7
Matias Kranevitter 5
Steven N’Zonzi 6
Vitolo 7
Stevan Jovetic 8
Joaquin Correa 7
Walter Montoya for Pareja (45′, 6), Diego Gonzalez Polanco for Correa (89′), Wissam Ben Yedder for Krokn-Dehli (89′)
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo provided the game’s key moment by unleashing a thunderous strike to restore a two-goal advantage, avoiding a nervous final ten minutes. He had already scored a straightforward tap-in and worked hard all night to cause problems for the Sevilla defence, but his second goal – with his weaker foot – was simply magical.
The final scoreline was flattering for Real Madrid after a game which saw Sevilla compete on an even footing for the first 75 minutes. Los Blancos had to ride their luck as they netted a disputed opener and saw Stevan Jovetic twice strike the woodwork in the first half, but they did well to maintain their composure and regroup after Jovetic made it 2-1, and simply powered away from their opponents towards the end. It’s difficult to imagine Zinedine Zidane’s men slipping up now – this time next week, surely, they will be champions.
