Luka Modric rolled back the years with a sublime late winner against Sevilla as Real Madrid moved eight points clear at the top of La Liga.
With England midfielder Jude Bellingham absent for Real for a third consecutive game, the contest looked to be heading towards a goalless draw.
However, Croatia midfielder Modric, 38, curled in seven minutes after his introduction as a substitute.
Lucas Vazquez had earlier had a goal disallowed for the hosts.
The Real full-back’s effort was chalked off after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review concluded that home defender Nacho had fouled forward Youssef En-Nesyri in the build-up.
Federico Valverde also went close for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, hitting the post early in the second half, although in the main a Sevilla defence that was well marshalled by former Real great Sergio Ramos, stood firm.
Second-placed Barcelona are on 57 points, with Girona a point further back in third, who play their game in hand on the top two against Rayo Vallecano on Monday (20:00 GMT).
Line-ups
Real Madrid
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Lunin
- 17Vázquez
- 22Rüdiger
- 6NachoSubstituted forModricat 75′minutes
- 23Mendy
- 15Valverde
- 18Tchouaméni
- 8KroosBooked at 35mins
- 21DíazSubstituted forCeballosat 90′minutes
- 11RodrygoSubstituted forRodríguezat 90+4′minutes
- 7Vinícius Júnior
Substitutes
- 10Modric
- 19Ceballos
- 20García
- 24Güler
- 25Arrizabalaga Revuelta
- 26Piñeiro
- 29Rodríguez
- 41Ramón
Sevilla
Formation 5-3-2
- 13Nyland
- 16NavasSubstituted forSánchezat 75′minutes
- 22Badé
- 4Ramos
- 2SalasSubstituted forNianzouat 90+1′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 5OcamposBooked at 70minsSubstituted forJanuzajat 90+1′minutes
- 21TorresSubstituted forFernández Sáenz de la Torreat 75′minutes
- 24Soumaré
- 18SowBooked at 90mins
- 15En-Nesyri
- 20RomeroSubstituted forVélizat 75′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Dmitrovic
- 3Pedrosa
- 7Fernández Sáenz de la Torre
- 10Véliz
- 14Nianzou
- 25Januzaj
- 26Sánchez
- 31Flores
- 35Sintes
- 41Idumbo Muzambo
- 46Mejbri
- Referee:
- Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos
- Attendance:
- 74,969
Live Text
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Match ends, Real Madrid 1, Sevilla 0.
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Second Half ends, Real Madrid 1, Sevilla 0.
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Djibril Sow (Sevilla) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Djibril Sow (Sevilla).
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Foul by Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).
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Boubakary Soumaré (Sevilla) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Federico Valverde (Real Madrid).
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Boubakary Soumaré (Sevilla) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Real Madrid. Álvaro Rodríguez replaces Rodrygo.
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Foul by Luka Modric (Real Madrid).
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Alejo Véliz (Sevilla) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Tanguy Nianzou (Sevilla) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Tanguy Nianzou (Sevilla).
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Substitution, Sevilla. Tanguy Nianzou replaces Kike Salas.
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Substitution, Sevilla. Adnan Januzaj replaces Lucas Ocampos.
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Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Juanlu Sánchez (Sevilla).
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Attempt missed. Kike Salas (Sevilla) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Suso with a cross following a corner.
