Veteran midfielder Luka Modric‘s curling strike gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday, lifting them eight factors away from Barcelona atop La Liga the place they’re unbeaten in 20 video games. Madrid’s final league loss got here in September. Third-placed Girona are an additional level adrift. They are usually not in motion till Monday once they tackle Rayo Vallecano. With Jude Bellingham and Joselu each injured, and Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Carvajal suspended, Madrid faltered within the early exchanges and Youssef En-Nesyri missed an early likelihood for the guests.

Sunday’s sport appeared headed for a stalemate till 38-year-old Modric, who was on as a late substitute, produced a blistering strike from exterior the field after 81 minutes because the referee waved away indignant Sevilla claims for off-side.

An equally spectacular Lucas Vazquez strike had been wiped off by VAR after 10 minutes, a choice which prompted jeers and introduced a yellow card for Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“We deserved the win, we kept up the intensity until the very end and this is what happens when you achieve that,” stated the Italian coach.

The match noticed 37-year-old Sergio Ramos‘ return to the Santiago Bernabeu the place he spent 16 seasons, but it surely was Modric who stole the headlines.

“We proved that we never give up. That is in Real Madrid’s DNA,” stated Modric.

“We would have preferred to have scored earlier, but it’s even more thrilling when it comes late.”

Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde had a energetic sport, hitting a submit and scraping the crossbar within the first half as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo additionally went shut.

Vinicius was the person behind Lucas Vazquez‘s purpose which was dominated out when Nacho had clearly fouled Youssef En-Nesyri within the run-up.

A minute’s silence was noticed earlier than the sport in reminiscence of victims of the condominium block fireplace within the Spanish metropolis of Valencia.

On Saturday, Xavi‘s rejigged Barcelona aspect thrashed Getafe 4-0 to climb to second with recalled duo Joao Felix and Raphinha on the scoresheet.

Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong and Fermin Lopez had been additionally on track.

“We knew which spaces to attack and opened them up on several occasions and that’s where the goals came from. It’s a victory which gives us a little more peace of mind,” stated Barca coach Xavi.

Bottom aspect Almeria twice got here from behind to carry Atletico Madrid to a 2-2 draw. The stalemate left the hosts winless this season after 26 matches.

Atletico, who misplaced 1-0 within the Champions League final 16 first leg tie at Inter Milan in midweek, stay fourth, 13 factors off leaders Real Madrid.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)