Spain’s soccer record champions Real Madrid are still on course for the title after a furious race to catch up. The royals won 3-2 (0-2) in La Liga on Sunday at pursuers Sevilla after a show of force in the second half. Star striker Karim Benzema scored the winning goal in injury time (90+2).
Rodrygo after a combination worth seeing (50′) and Nacho Fernandez in the final heated phase (83′) initially equalized the home side’s lead. Then Benzema struck with his 25th goal of the season. Previously, ex-Schalke player Ivan Rakitic (21st) and Erik Lamela (25th) scored twice for the Europa League record winner, who was superior in the first half.
Real are now a comfortable 15 points clear of the Andalusians, while arch-rivals FC Barcelona, having played two fewer games, are level on points with Sevilla in third place.
In Madrid, 2014 world champion Toni Kroos and former Bayern star David Alaba were on the pitch for the entire distance five days after the dramatic semi-finals in the Champions League against Chelsea. With 75 points, coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team is still on course for the title with six games remaining.
City rivals Atlético drew level with Barca on points after beating Espanyol Barcelona 2-1 (0-0). Yannick Carrasco converted a penalty after video evidence deep in added time (90 + 10). The Belgian international had previously given the champions the lead (52′), Raul de Tomas equalized three minutes after the yellow-red card against Atletico’s Geoffrey Kondogbia.