Mbappe nets brace, Guler adds goal as Real Madrid regain momentum ahead of El Clasico
Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Real Madrid reduced the gap to La Liga leaders Barcelona to six points with a 4-1 victory over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu, a week before the two sides clash. Even without the suspended Vinicius Jr, Madrid displayed the fluid attacking football that had been missing of late, largely thanks to Arda Guler’s creative spark.
After a quiet start, the Turkish midfielder revived the game. Sevilla lodged a complaint for a red card after a tussle involving Guler and Peque Fernandez, but Guler answered minutes later by receiving a pass from Yan Diomande and firing a shot into the top corner.
Mbappe added his own brilliance in the 37th minute, turning sharply, sprinting toward goal and calmly beating goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. Coach Jose Mourinho’s decision to deploy Fede Valverde at right back paid off when Valverde made a vital block to deny Felix Correia just before the hour‑mark as Sevilla pressed for a comeback.
Diomande then took advantage of the space Sevilla created, slipping past his marker and delivering Mbappe into a dangerous position behind the defence. Andres Castrin fouled the French forward, who rose to convert the resulting penalty and put the contest beyond doubt.
Sevilla’s substitute Manu Bueno reduced the deficit ten minutes from time after Mbappe surrendered possession deep in his own half. Two minutes later Diomande restored Madrid’s three‑goal cushion with a powerful strike.
Defender Eder Militao received a warm ovation when he entered in the 85th minute, marking his first appearance since hamstring surgery in April. Mourinho will take heart from what many called one of the most complete performances of his second spell at the club as they prepare for next Sunday’s pivotal meeting with Barcelona.
Real, now on a run of three straight wins in all competitions since the international break, sit third with 21 points, a single point behind Atletico Madrid. Sevilla remain sixth on 14 points.
Barcelona continued their perfect start on Saturday, beating Real Betis 5-2 to record nine wins from nine and push their league tally to 39 goals. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring with a dazzling strike, followed by goals from Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and substitute Dani Olmo. Betis’ goals came from Valentin Gomez and Ez Abde, while Facundo Bernal was sent off for head‑butting Yamal. The Catalans moved to 27 points, five ahead of Atletico, who edged Espanyol 1-0. Betis sit on 19 points, and Real sit fourth on 18 ahead of their Sunday clash with Sevilla.
Other La Liga action saw Osasuna hold off Racing Santander 2-0 in Jagoba Arrasate’s first match back as manager. Ionut Radu made two spectacular saves as Celta Vigo earned a 2-1 win over Alaves, and Real Sociedad defeated Malaga 5-2.