Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, October 18, in round nine of LaLiga. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, while Arda Güler and Yan Diomande added a goal each.
Güler opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a curling shot. Seven minutes later, Mbappé made it 2-0, turning past the Sevilla defence after a backheel from Jude Bellingham. The French forward won a penalty in the second half and converted it with a Panenka chip down the middle in the 63rd minute.
Sevilla pulled a goal back through Manu Bueno in the 80th minute. Diomande restored the three-goal margin two minutes later to settle the game.
José Mourinho, the Real Madrid coach, said his side controlled the match and held a high share of possession throughout. He also defended his decision to rotate the squad, saying many of his players deserve to play.
Sevilla coach Luis García Plaza criticised the refereeing after the game, pointing to an incident involving Güler, but Mourinho said no video evidence supported the complaint. Real Madrid were without Vinícius Júnior, who began a four-match domestic ban after his red card against Villarreal and will also miss the Clásico.
Real Madrid stay third with 21 points from nine games, one point behind Atlético Madrid and six behind Barcelona, who have won all nine of their league matches. Sevilla remain sixth with 14 points.
Real Madrid host RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 21, then travel to Camp Nou to face the leaders in the Clásico on Sunday, October 25.
