Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Sevilla from the Bernabeu.
Both teams have collected 28 points from their 14 league matches this season, but fifth-placed Real Madrid sit just above Sevilla in the table.
Los Blancos will be looking to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona to five points, but Sevilla have won their last three in Spain's top flight.
Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates from the Spanish capital.
2.16pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as the champions Real Madrid welcome in-form Sevilla to the Bernabeu. Both of these teams have collected 28 points from 14 league matches this season, but fourth-placed Real Madrid sit just above Sevilla in the table. Stay tuned for what should be a fascinating game of football!
2.19pmReal Madrid recorded a 4-1 win when the pair met at the Bernabeu last season, although Sevilla beat Los Blancos 2-1 at the Estadio Ramon back in January. Sevilla have actually not won in the league at the Bernabeu since December 2008, which is an indication of their task this afternoon.
2.22pmThat said, two of the last five matches between the two teams in all competitions have finished level, with Real Madrid winning just twice in that period – both at the Bernabeu. Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the capital. Both sides were in Champions League action on Wednesday night and changes for both were expected...
2.25pmTEAMS!
REAL MADRID: Navas; Achraf, Nacho, Vallejo, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Asensio; Lucas, Benzema, Ronaldo
SEVILLA: Rico; Mercado, Carole, Kjaer, Lenglet; Pizarro, Banega, Vazquez; Navas, Muriel, Nolito
2.28pmSergio Ramos, Casemiro and Dani Carvajal are all suspended for Real Madrid this afternoon, while Raphael Varane is injured, which has left Los Blancos short of defensive options. Achraf Hakimi is given a spot at right-back, and Jesus Vallejo is fit to start alongside Nacho at centre-back. Further forward, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez start as Isco is named on the bench. Far from a full-strength XI!
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2.32pmAs for Sevilla, Jesus Navas, Nolito and Luis Muriel all come into the team, meaning that Wissam Ben Yedder starts on the bench. Sergio Rico is also given the nod between the sticks over David Soria, while Lionel Carole is preferred to Johannes Geis at the back. Once again there is no spot in the squad for Steven N'Zonzi as the midfielder continues to be linked with a return to the Premier League.
2.35pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Madrid. I shall speak about Sevilla a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. As mentioned, Zidane's side will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 win over Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
2.38pm
🚍➡🏟 ¡Hola, Bernabéu!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/EI0V3VSlgP
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 9, 2017
2.42pmIn truth, the clash with Dortmund was a bit of a dead rubber due to Real Madrid already qualifying for the round of 16, but Los Blancos played some nice stuff in the 3-2 success. Cristiano Ronaldo created more Champions League history when he scored against the German outfit. Indeed, the Portuguese became the first player in the history of the competition to net in all six matches of a group-stage campaign.
2.45pmToday is all about the league, however, and Real Madrid will look to bounce back from what was a disappointing goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao last weekend. Zidane's side have actually only won two of their last five in the league, and that run of form has left them down in fourth position in the table – eight points off the leaders Barcelona, who are still unbeaten this season.
2.48pmLos Blancos have dropped points in six of their 14 league matches this term, and there is no question that they have struggled to reach the heights of the 2017-18 campaign. It is a difficult period for the champions, although a win this afternoon would see them cut Barcelona's lead to five points, which is far from disastrous at this stage of the season.
2.52pm
📝🏃 #RMLiga
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 9, 2017
¡Once titular del #RealMadrid frente al @SevillaFC!#RMMovistar | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Dyi9MNjgDo
2.55pmWhen considering that Barcelona face a tough trip to Villarreal on Sunday night, Real Madrid might well be in touching distance of their rivals when the pair clash in El Clasico at the Bernabeu before the winter break. Los Blancos have also won their last four league matches on home soil, and will fancy their chances of putting another three points on the board at the Bernabeu this afternoon.
2.58pmLike Real Madrid, Sevilla were also in Champions League action on Wednesday night, and a 1-1 draw against Maribor ensured that the Spanish outfit would finish second in Group E - booking their spot in the round of 16 in the process. With a spot in the last-16 secure, Sevilla can now fully focus on La Liga, and they will enter this match having won their last three in Spain's top flight. Indeed, since losing narrowly at Barcelona, the White and Reds have beaten Celta Vigo, Villarreal and Deportivo La Coruna.
3.02pmA record of nine wins, one draw and four defeats from 14 matches has left Sevilla in fifth position in the table on 28 points. They would go above Real Madrid with a win here, and will fancy their chances of making another strong challenge for a top-four finish. Kickoff is fast approaching here!
3.05pm
ONCE del #SevillaFC ante el @realmadrid #vamosmisevilla #RealMadridSevillaFC pic.twitter.com/8uy6CA5acZ
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) December 9, 2017
3.08pmSevilla were recently hit with the news that head coach Eduardo Berizzo had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Argentine is currently on the road to recovery, however, after undergoing an operation last week. Berizzo was discharged from hospital on December 2, with his post-operative recovery taking place at home. There is no question that the 48-year-old will be watching on this afternoon, and Sevilla will have another incentive to pick up a positive result in the capital.
3.12pmWhen considering that Sevilla have lost just once – away to Barcelona - in all competitions since October 21, suspension-hit Real Madrid will have to be at their best to secure all the points. As expected, Sevilla's home record this season has been very strong – winning six of their seven league matches at the Estadio Ramon. Berizzo's side have lost four of their seven league games on the road, however, and are the big underdogs at the Bernabeu. Right, kickoff here is next!
0 minKICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off in the capital...
2 min... SAVE! Real Madrid come close to making the breakthrough inside two minutes as Lucas curls one towards the far corner after finding space in a dangerous area, but Rico is on hand to make a super save. That would have been the perfect start for the home side!
3 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Sevilla (Nacho)
4 minOh my word! Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the third minute as a terrible mix-up between Muriel and Kjaer following a corner sees Nacho sweep home from close range!
6 minIt has been a decent response from the away side, with Navas having the chance to break clear in a wide position. The former Manchester City attacker attempts to deliver into the penalty box, but Nacho is on hand to make the clearance. End-to-end football in the early exchanges here.
8 minHardly time to take a breath at the moment as the play continues to flow from end to end. Sevilla need to be very careful that they do not concede a second during this open period of the match.
10 minSevilla are enjoying good possession of the ball at the Bernabeu, with Banega, Pizarro and Vazquez having plenty of touches. The visitors are yet to threaten Navas between the Real Madrid sticks, but I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this open contest.
11 minSAVE! Rico is down to keep out a powerful drive from Ronaldo.
13 minJesus Navas works some space in a wide area before delivering a dangerous low cross into the middle of the box, but Vallejo is on hand to make a smart clearance. Still 1-0 Sevilla here.
15 minSevilla are having all of the ball at the moment, but they are struggling to create opportunities. Eventually Carole hits one from a wide angle, and his effort is deflected wide of the post.
17 minSevilla are really taking the game to Real Madrid at the moment as they continue to enjoy possession in the final third of the field. Pizarro has men over on the right, but decides to have a shot, which drifts over the home side's crossbar. It is a really good game of football in Madrid.
19 minSevilla look like the home team here as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Real Madrid are being restricted to playing on the counter-attack, but that might actually suit them.
21 minHalf-chance for Real Madrid as Asensio picks out the head of Benzema with a super cross, but the Frenchman's effort was always wide of the post. Back come Sevilla from the goal kick.
23 minYou just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. As impressive as Sevilla have been since the first goal went in, it is very difficult to imagine the away side coming back from 2-0 behind. Banega hits one from distance, but his effort was always high of the crossbar.
23 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla (Ronaldo)
24 minAnd there is the second for Real Madrid! It is wonderful from Asensio as the Spaniard slides a super pass into Ronaldo, who carefully places the ball into the bottom corner of the net!
26 minHalf-chance for Sevilla as Jesus Navas races clear before picking out Muriel, but the striker's effort was always moving wide of the post. The visitors continue to push players forward, and that is playing into the hands of Real Madrid, who have so much pace on the counter-attack here.
27 minKroos has a go after finding some space just outside the Sevilla box, but his effort is too high. Sevilla are just so incredibly open at the back as they continue to throw players forward.
29 minVazquez strikes one from a wide angle as Real Madrid threaten once again, but his effort is wide of the post. Asensio is running the show for the hosts as he continues to pick up possession.
31 minRonaldo goes down inside the Sevilla box, but the referee is not interested. Moments before, Lucas had tumbled outside the area, and the official was also unmoved. All-action football in the capital.
31 minPENALTY REAL MADRID!
31 minBOOKING! Navas (Sevilla) is booked for handball inside the Real Madrid box!
31 minGOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Sevilla (Ronaldo, pen)
32 minRico guesses right, but the ball goes through the Sevilla goalkeeper into the back of the net!
34 minSAVE! Rico is on hand to keep out a powerful strike from Modric!
35 minSAVE! Rico has to keep out an over-head kick from Ronaldo as Real Madrid threaten to run riot in the first 45 minutes. Sevilla have just gone to pieces at the back here.
37 minI must admit that I expected this to be a tough game for Real Madrid, but Sevilla have been so poor in a defensive area. Surely there will be more goals before the 90 minutes are up here.
37 minBOOKING! Banega (Sevilla) is booked for a foul on Modric.
38 minGOAL! Real Madrid 4-0 Sevilla (Kroos)
39 minOh my word! It is four for Real Madrid as a quick counter-attack ends with Lucas setting up Kroos, who simply passes the ball into the back of the net. It is sensational football once again here.
42 minGOAL! Real Madrid 5-0 Sevilla (Hakimi)
43 minGoodness. Real Madrid have their fifth as Hakimi races onto a pass from Benzema before sliding the ball home at the near post. Sevilla's defence has gone AWOL here. Incredible scoreline.
45 minReal Madrid are looking for more goals in the latter stages of the first period. Sevilla just cannot deal with the wave after wave of attack, but the half-time whistle is not too far away now!
45+1 minHALF-TIME: Real Madrid 5-0 Sevilla
4pmOh my word. What a first 45 minutes! The referee brings the opening half of football to a close with Real Madrid leading Sevilla 5-0 courtesy of a double from Cristiano Ronaldo and goals from Nacho, Kroos and Hakimi. Sevilla have been absolutely blown away in the first half of this football match.
4.05pmSTATISTICS! Sevilla actually shaded the first-half possession with 53%, but they failed to hit the target with any of their six attempts. Real Madrid, meanwhile, managed eight attempts on target from 13 shots, which is some going. Both yellow cards have come to Sevilla - Navas and Banega.
4.10pmBENCH WATCH! Dani Ceballos, Marcos Llorente and Borja Mayoral are among those on the Real Madrid bench that will hope to be given a run-out with the three points all but secure. Isco, meanwhile, is also available for the home side in the second period. As for Sevilla, an attacking bench includes Ben Yedder, Ganso, Correa and Sarabia, but this game as a contest has gone.
46 minRESTART! Sevilla resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, but both managers will certainly have alterations in mind as the second period develops. Unfortunately, this game is finished as a contest here.
49 minHalf-chance for Sevilla as Navas breaks into the Real Madrid box before delivering a low cross towards the far post, but there are no takers. Decent start to the half from the visitors here.
51 minAs it stands, Real Madrid are moving to within five points of league leaders Barcelona, who travel to Villarreal tomorrow night. There is no question that Sevilla are sitting deeper in this second period as they look to prevent an absolute mauling. To be honest, five is bad enough.
53 minCHANCE! Just about Sevilla's best chance of the match as Muriel finds Nolito inside the Real Madrid box, but the attacker can only curl his effort into the arms of Navas.
53 minSAVE! This time Navas is down to keep out a strike from Muriel!
55 minStill goalless in the second period, but both teams are searching for the sixth of the match. Real Madrid again find all sorts of room down the right, but Lenglet manages to clear Hakimi's cross.
57 minRonaldo sets up Benzema just outside the Sevilla box, but the striker's effort is blocked. Sevilla are preparing to make their first change of the match with 57 minutes on the clock here.
57 minSEVILLA SUB! Sarabia replaces Nolito for the away side.
59 minNot an awful lot to report in the last few minutes, although Sevilla are still committing players in the final third as they look to give their supporters at least one goal to cheer in the capital.
62 minSevilla's general play and some of their passing has actually been very good, but they have just not been able to prevent Real Madrid from causing problems down the other end of the field. Still no movement on the home side's bench, but Zidane will surely look to give a few a rest late on.
63 minREAL MADRID SUB! Kroos is replaced by Marcos Llorente.
65 minPlenty of possession for Sevilla at the moment, but that was also the case in the first half, and they failed to score while conceding five. Still more than 25 minutes of football to play in Madrid.
67 minPOST! Massive chance for the home side to score a sixth as Marcelo swings a cross towards Benzema, but the striker heads against the post. Still no goal for Benzema!
70 minLittle over 20 minutes of football remaining, and Sarabia has just sent one over the Sevilla crossbar. Real Madrid are preparing to make their second change of the match - Ceballos.
71 minREAL MADRID SUB! Ceballos replaces Modric for the home side.
72 minSEVILLA SUB! Geis replaces Vazquez for the away side.
74 minLittle over 15 minutes of football remaining in Madrid, and we have not seen a goal in the second period. Sevilla are still pressing forward though which is leaving space down the other end.
76 minREAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Ronaldo for the home side.
77 minNo hat-trick for Ronaldo, who leaves the field for Isco. He did not look too pleased with the decision, but Real Madrid have bigger fish to fry than the final 13 minutes of this already-won match.
80 minPossession football for Real Madrid at the moment as they make Sevilla put the yards in. Benzema really needs a goal in the final 10 minutes of this match, and you fancy that he might have a chance or two.
81 minSEVILLA SUB! Krohn-Dehli replaces Banega for the away side.
83 minSevilla break clear once again, but Navas is crowded out in a wide area. Real Madrid have far from their strongest defence this afternoon, but they are keeping a clean sheet as things stand here.
85 minNavas remains a willing runner for the visitors, but the overall quality has not been there from the Spaniard, and another cross is plucked out of the air by Real Madrid's Costa Rican goalkeeper.
87 minReal Madrid have the ball as they look to add to the scoresheet in the final stages, but Sevilla are holding strong at the back as they attempt to avoid conceding a sixth late on here.
90+1 minWe are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the 90 here.
90 minThe second half has been a disappointment following the first, but it is job done for Real Madrid, who are moving to within five points of league leaders Barcelona. We are into the very final stages of this match, and I should not think that there will be too much added time here.
90+1 minWe are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the 90.
90+2 minFULL-TIME: Real Madrid 5-0 Sevilla
5.03pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid beating Sevilla 5-0. The result has moved Real Madrid to within five points of league leaders Barcelona, who travel to Villarreal tomorrow night. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our coverage once again!
