Kylian Mbappe bounced back from a recent slump in form to lead Real Madrid to a convincing 4-2 victory over Sevilla on Saturday, propelling them to second place in La Liga.
Following Atletico Madrid's win over Barcelona that secured them the top spot, Real Madrid capitalized on the opportunity to climb the standings with a comfortable win at home. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had previously declared that Mbappe's adaptation period was over after his summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, and the French forward validated his coach's confidence with a strong performance and his 14th goal of the season across all competitions.
The match was a showcase of Real Madrid's dominance. Fede Valverde contributed a stunning long-range goal, while Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz also found the net for the home team, with the latter's goal being assisted by a brilliant pass from Mbappe. Sevilla's goals by Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukebakio were mere consolations amidst Real Madrid's overall superior gameplay.
In a post-match interview with Real Madrid TV, Mbappe acknowledged his recent struggles but emphasized his improvement: "I think we know each other better now, my arrival changed a lot of things, and now, as the coach said, the adaptation is over and I feel very good in the team. We can see on the pitch that I click better with my teammates and now we're all playing better."
He further elaborated on his determination to overcome the criticism he faced: "The Bilbao game was good for me, I hit the bottom, I missed a penalty and it was a moment to realize that I have to give everything for this shirt and show my personality."
With Vinicius Junior suspended, Mbappe took center stage, scoring the opening goal in the 10th minute. The goal unfolded as Real Madrid smoothly transitioned the ball out of defense, with Rodrygo finding Mbappe on the edge of the area. Mbappe skillfully controlled the ball, set himself up, and unleashed a powerful strike that left goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez helpless.
Real Madrid continued their dominance, with Valverde scoring a spectacular goal from over 30 yards out just ten minutes later. The third goal came in the 34th minute, with Lucas Vazquez delivering a cross for Rodrygo to finish.
Sevilla responded with a goal from Romero in the following minute, but Real Madrid extended their lead again after the break. Mbappe displayed his vision with a delightful pass that set up Diaz for a clinical finish.
The match also marked a special occasion for Sevilla's veteran defender Jesus Navas. In his 705th and final appearance for the club, Navas received a guard of honor from both teams before the game. The 39-year-old is Sevilla's all-time record appearance holder and has won four Europa Leagues and two Copa del Rey trophies with the club. While Sevilla's night ended in defeat, Navas was showered with appreciation by the Santiago Bernabeu crowd.
Real Madrid capped off an impressive year with a resounding victory. Having secured the Spanish and European titles earlier this year, they look to carry this momentum into the new year.
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