Kylian Mbappe scored one goal and assisted another as Real Madrid thrashed Sevilla 4-2 to move second in the Spanish Primera Division.
After Atletico Madrid beat Barca on Saturday to take first place at Christmas, Carlo Ancelotti's side also took advantage of the situation and secured a comfortable home win that left them a point behind the leaders. Atletico have 41 points, Real Madrid have 40, and Barcelona have already dropped to 3rd place 38.
Before the visit of Sevilla, Madrid coach Ancelotti said that Mbappe's adaptation period was over after his transfer this summer from Paris Saint-Germain, and the French striker proved the coach right with a strong performance and his 14th goal of the season in all competitions.
Fede Valverde also scored a spectacular goal from distance, while Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz were also on the scoresheet for the hosts. Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukebakio scored for Sevilla, despite being completely outplayed in veteran legend Jesus Navas' last game for the Andalusian club.
The first goal came in the 10th minute after a charge from Mbappe and Rodrygo, with the Brazilian passing on the edge of the penalty area. With his first touch, the Frenchman controlled the ball, with another he set it up and with the third he sent a powerful shot, unsaveable for the helpless Alvaro Fernandez. Madrid's second goal, 10 minutes later, was even better, with Valverde firing into the top corner from over 30 metres after a short corner kick.
Ancelotti's men did not stop attacking and in the 34th minute they were already 3-0 up after Lucas Vázquez passed to Rodrygo and the Brazilian winger did not hesitate to shoot into the net.
Seconds later, however, Sevilla hit back when Romero scored after a good pass from Juanlu Sánchez and good work from Dodi Lukebakio in the attack before that.
The second half started with a good attack from the visitors, with Romero having to score a second goal, but his shot went straight into the body of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Instead, Madrid increased their lead, with Mbappe providing a superb pass to Diaz, who finished for 4-1.
Sevilla brought in Jesus Navas after 60 minutes and he was applauded by the “Santiago Bernabeu“ in his 705th and final appearance for the club, far more than any other player.
The visitors pulled a second goal back five minutes from time through Dodi Lukebakio, and before the match both teams made a barricade of Navas, who was giving up football. The 39-year-old winger has won the Europa League four times and the Copa del Rey twice with his beloved Sevilla.