Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to move within six points of La Liga leaders Barcelona, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice a week before the rivals meet in El Clasico.
Arda Guler and Ibrahim Diomande were also on target as Real produced one of their most convincing performances of Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge, despite the absence of the suspended Vinicius Jr.
Guler broke the deadlock after a subdued opening, collecting Diomande’s pass before sending a precise shot into the top corner. Sevilla had appealed for a red card following an earlier incident involving the Turkish midfielder and Peque Fernandez.
Mbappe doubled the advantage in the 37th minute, turning sharply to burst through on goal before calmly beating Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Sevilla threatened to reduce the deficit after half-time, but Fede Valverde produced a crucial block to deny Felix Correia shortly before the hour mark.
Diomande then took advantage of the visitors pushing forward, escaping his marker and sending Mbappe through on goal. Andres Castrin brought down the France captain, who converted the resulting penalty after getting back to his feet.
Manu Bueno pulled one back for Sevilla with 10 minutes remaining after Mbappe surrendered possession deep inside his own half. Diomande restored Real’s three-goal lead two minutes later with a powerful strike.
Eder Militao was given a warm reception when he came on in the 85th minute for his first appearance since undergoing hamstring surgery in April.
The victory was Real Madrid’s third successive win in all competitions since the international break. They climbed to third in the table on 21 points, one behind Atletico Madrid, while Sevilla remain sixth on 14.
Barcelona had strengthened their position at the top on Saturday by beating Real Betis 5-2 for a ninth consecutive league victory. Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and substitute Dani Olmo scored for the leaders, while Valentin Gomez and Ez Abde replied for Betis.
Betis played much of the second half with 10 men after Facundo Bernal was sent off for head-butting Yamal. Barcelona have scored 39 goals in their nine league matches and sit on 27 points ahead of next Sunday’s meeting with Real Madrid.
