Sevilla 2-3 Real Madrid: Five talking points

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick ended Sevilla’s long unbeaten run at home as Real Madrid squeezed out a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Andalusians.Having lost their last 2 trips to Sanchez Pizjuan, Real came into this fixture wary of Sevilla’s dominance at home and were in desperate need of a win to remain in the hunt for the league title. After an opening few minutes of close control by the home side, Blancos snatched the lead by Ronaldo’s close range header and doubled their advantage just 96 seconds later when the Portuguese was once on target with a tap-in from point-blank range.In-form Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca reduced the deficit for the hosts from the spot just minutes before half-time, but Ronaldo restored Real’s two-goal cushion deep in the second half with yet another exquisite header. The hosts did not abandon hope and continued to press high up and were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Iborra struck the bottom corner in the 79th minute after a defensive muddle in Real’s half.The pulsating encounter ended 3-2 in Real’s favour although the Sevillistas had a handful of chances to equalize later in the game. The Whites return to the Spanish capital with all three points in the bag. Here are the 5 talking points from the game.

#1 Sevilla\'s home dominion ends finally

On 9th February last year, Barcelona thrashed Sevilla 4-1 at Sanchez Pizjuan and since then, the latter would go on to play 35 games in all competitions at home, albeit, all unbeaten. Sevilla’s home turf had turned into a fortress of sorts. Going away with even a point from there had become a Herculean task. But all fairytales come to an end and for Sevilla, it was this day. Their long unbeaten run at home was finally drawn to a close.

Ronaldo’s quickfire brace spelt trouble for the hosts but a Carlos Bacca penalty induced a sense of credence in them. Sevilla continued to fret and faff after the scoreline read 3-1 in the visitors’ favour but their high pressing led into another goal when Iborra slotted a close range finish 11 minutes from time. Real’s lack of cohesion in the defence nearly cost them the win when the hosts came dead close to equalise in the final few minutes. 

Nevertheless, the men in black withstood the late onslaught and ended Sevilla’s hegemony at home.