Madrid, December 20 (NA) – Real Madrid concluded 2025 with a 2-0 victory over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu. The win allowed the team to secure crucial points in the championship race, but it once again exposed a lackluster performance.
Under Xabi Alonso, the team relied more on the efficiency and security of Thibaut Courtoas rather than fluid play. Goals from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé secured the victory, according to the Argentine News Agency (Agencia Noticias Argentinas).
The first half was a dull affair for the hosts, with erratic circulation and no clear control of the game. The rescue came from set pieces: a precise cross from Rodrygo found Bellingham, who won the aerial duel and headed in the 1-0 goal just before the break.
In the second half, the game opened up, and chances appeared at both ends. Mbappé wasted several clear-cut opportunities, and Sevilla once again faced a formidable Courtois, who was decisive in maintaining the lead. Sevilla threatened through Isaac Romero and Alexis Sánchez, while Madrid barely caused any trouble with isolated attacks.
The sending-off of Marcao for two yellow cards did not drastically alter the game's flow, though it left the visitors with fewer resources to seek an equalizer. Late in the match, a penalty on Rodrygo allowed Mbappé to seal the result from the spot and score his 59th goal of the year, equaling Cristiano Ronaldo's 2013 club record.
The victory left Real Madrid with 42 points, one behind Barcelona, though footballing doubts persisted in a night that brought more relief from the result than certainty for the future.
In other matches, Real Oviedo and Celta Vigo drew 0-0, leaving Oviedo in the relegation zone with 11 points and Vigo in seventh place, two points behind Real Betis. Additionally, Levante and Real Sociedad also drew 1-1, with Take Kubo scoring for the visitors and Adrián De La Fuente equalizing agonizingly for the home side in the 49th minute of added time.
Both teams are in the lower half of the table, with Levante last on 10 points and Real Sociedad 16th with 17 points, two above the relegation zone. Finally, Osasuna thrashed Alavés 3-0 with a brace from Ante Budimir and a goal from Raúl García, leaving the hosts 12th with 18 points and dropping the visitors to 15th, though on the same points.
