In a thrilling encounter between Real Madrid and Sevilla, it was veteran midfielder Luka Modric who stole the spotlight with a remarkable late goal, securing a crucial victory for Los Blancos. Despite a resilient Sevilla side, Carlo Ancelotti’s men emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, extending their lead at the top of La Liga.

The match began with an early disallowed goal for Real Madrid, as Lucas Vazquez’s finish was ruled out by VAR due to a foul committed by Nacho in the build-up. Despite further opportunities in the first half, including attempts from Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, Madrid couldn’t find the breakthrough.

As the game progressed, Madrid grew more assertive, with Valverde hitting the post and Vinicius Jr coming close with a curled effort. However, it was Modric who ultimately made the difference, capitalizing on a defensive error to score a stunning goal from outside the box.

Amidst Sevilla’s protests, Modric’s goal stood, securing three valuable points for Real Madrid. While the victory may not have been as comfortable as Ancelotti would have hoped, it showcased the resilience and determination of his side.

Let’s delve into the player ratings:

Goalkeeper & Defense:

– Andriy Lunin (6/10): Largely untroubled with only one save to make.

– Lucas Vazquez (6/10): Denied an early goal but lacked quality in his performance.

– Antonio Rudiger (7/10): Impressive with timely headers and composed ball distribution.

– Nacho (6/10): A steady presence at the back despite a careless foul leading to a disallowed goal.

– Ferland Mendy (7/10): Solid defensively, thwarting Sevilla attacks with displays of strength.

Midfield:

– Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10): Started well but grew reckless in the second half.

– Toni Kroos (8/10): Dictated play with precision passing and dangerous set pieces.

– Federico Valverde (7/10): Threatening with powerful shots and active in an advanced role.

– Brahim Diaz (6/10): Showed glimpses of creativity but sometimes slowed down Madrid’s attack.

Attack:

– Rodrygo (6/10): Active but lacked variety in his runs.

– Vinicius Jr (7/10): A constant threat with his skills and forced some good saves.

Subs & Manager:

– Luka Modric (9/10): Match-winner with an exceptional goal and crucial defensive contribution.

– Dani Ceballos (N/A): Limited impact due to minimal playing time.

– Alvaro Rodriguez (N/A): Late introduction without significant involvement.

– Carlo Ancelotti (7/10): Managed his squad well despite missing key players, making impactful substitutions when needed.

Overall, Real Madrid’s victory, highlighted by Modric’s brilliance, underscores their resilience and determination in pursuit of success in La Liga.