Sevilla secure LaLiga safety despite narrow loss to Real Madrid

[p]In red-hot form and with something still to play for – unlike their opponents – Sevilla started off the stronger, with Oso in particular causing problems for the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Madrid[/a] defence.[/p][p][b]The full-back’s second effort forced [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/courtois-thibaut/MVExOq3n/"]Thibaut Courtois[/a] into a fine save, but all of the hosts’ good work was undone on 15 minutes when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mbappe-kylian/Wn6E2SED/"]Kylian Mbappé[/a] chested down a cross into the path of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vinicius-junior/CbwQ4Mws/"]Vinícius Júnior[/a], who swept a perfect finish past Odysseas Vlachodimos in the Sevilla goal.[/b][/p][p]Given that Madrid were yet to lose this season in 25 La Liga games in which they’d scored first – winning 23 of those – it looked to be an uphill battle from there for Sevilla, especially as it seemed to dampen their early spirits.[/p][image alt="Match momentum" id="afa8dc8a-8ffd-4f28-b045-6ee91ff1e610" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="f12d6ee0-7f93-4491-851b-ff71a1845c00" original-width="1920" original-height="1080" /][p]The visitors began to hoard possession, and saw Mbappé’s curler fly just beyond the far post as they looked to consolidate their lead ahead of the break.[/p][p]The second half brought a much more open game, and Sevilla ramped up their efforts to equalise, with Akor Adams unlucky to have it taken off his foot before shooting from close range.[/p][p]Their commitment to the cause allowed Madrid to counter, and Franco Mastantuono curled against the post, before Mbappé was flagged offside in breaking through and finding the net. There was a look of desperation in Sevilla’s play in a fruitless last 10 minutes, with Isaac Romero’s weak effort never likely to trouble Courtois.[/p][p]Despite their three-match winning run coming to an end with this defeat, Sevilla’s safety was still secured due to the fact that 18th-placed Girona play 17th-placed Elche next weekend.[/p][image alt="Match stats" id="e2aa65eb-7808-4034-9e18-6fd533ce0bbd" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="d9ea3d32-6e78-4a83-9787-961b064af167" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Now just playing for pride, the major talking points in the capital will surround Álvaro Arbeloa’s tenure, which looks probable to come to an end at the season’s conclusion.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vinicius-junior/CbwQ4Mws/"]Vinícius Júnior[/a] (Real Madrid)[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/real-madrid-W8mj7MDD/sevilla-h8oAv4Ts/?mid=ttZg4N15"]Click here to see all the stats of the match[/a][/b][/p]