Casemiro and Luka Modric scored the goals as Real Madrid recorded a 2-0 win over Sevilla in Saturday afternoon's La Liga clash at the Bernabeu.
Sevilla frustrated Real Madrid for long spells of the contest, but Casemiro's stunning hit in the 78th minute and Modric's late effort moved Los Blancos above their opponents on the afternoon into third spot in the table.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
3.10pmGood afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute commentary of the La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Sevilla from the Bernabeu. Real Madrid will enter the match in fourth position in Spain's top flight, level on points with third-placed Sevilla. Sevilla have been victorious in the last two league meetings between the two teams, but Real Madrid ran out 5-0 winners when they last met at the Bernabeu in December 2017. Stay tuned!
3.11pmTEAMS!
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Reguilon; Ceballos, Casemiro, Modric; Vinicius, Benzema, Vazquez
SEVILLA: Vaclik; Carrico, Kjaer, Gomez; Navas, Banega, Vazquez, Escudero; Sarabia; Ben Wedder, Silva
3.12pmThe big team news for Real Madrid is that Karim Benzema starts despite suffering a fractured finger against Real Betis last weekend. Los Blancos still have an extensive injury list, but it is a strong XI, with Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Raphael Varane all starting. Isco drops back down to the bench following his disappointing performance against Leganes in the Copa del Rey.
3.13pmAs for Sevilla, Wissam Ben Yedder and Andre Silva will again start as the front two with support from Pablo Sarabia. It is Sergio Escudero and Jesus Navas in the wing-back positions, with Ever Banega and Franco Vazquez in the middle of the park. New arrival Munir El Haddadi is on the bench. Right, kickoff at the Bernabeu is now just around the corner. Stay tuned!
0 minKICKOFF: Real Madrid will kick things off on home soil...
2 min... Real Madrid are very much on the front foot in the early stages of this match with Benzema and Vinicius already attempting to feed crosses into the away side's penalty box.
4 minSevilla are struggling to get a touch of the ball at the moment as Real Madrid continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Vinicius looks very lively early on here.
6 minSAVE! Smart save from Vaclik to keep out a strike from Vinicius, who had been released by Modric inside the Sevilla box. Real Madrid are intent on making the breakthrough here.
8 minThis is as good a start as Real Madrid have made this season. Sevilla are just starting to see a bit of the ball, but the home side have been very much on the front foot thus far here.
10 minVinicius is at the heart of everything that Real Madrid are doing in the final third of the field. The Brazilian has just come close to meeting a through pass from Benzema, but the offside flag was raised. Still goalless with 10 minutes played, but the tempo is very high.
12 minPass, pass, pass from Real Madrid as they look to work a shooting position here.
14 minBit of pressure from Sevilla in the last couple of minutes, but Sarabia's corner is cleared before the away side are forced back to their own goalkeeper. Nothing much from the visitors thus far.
16 minLucas goes down for Real Madrid and needs a bit of treatment, but is soon back on his feet. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes here.
18 minSevilla are much more in the match at the moment and Navas has just had a low cross cleared behind for a corner kick. The Sevilla wing-backs are seeing more of the possession here.
20 minReal Madrid are moving the ball quickly at the moment as they pass around in the middle of the park. Benzema has been sharp but has not yet had a shooting chance for the hosts.
22 minVinicius shows wonderful feet to dance into a shooting position before shifting the ball to Benzema, but eventually Sevilla clear their lines. Vinicius is going to be a superstar here.
24 minCHANCE! Huge chance for Sevilla as Escudero is fed inside the Real Madrid box, but the wing-back misses the post. He just had to score from that position!
26 minSevilla are seeing more and more of the ball in Real Madrid's half of the field.
27 minSAVE! Courtois is on hand to keep out a header from Andre Silva.
30 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and although Real Madrid started well, Sevilla have had the best chance of the match. You do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial, especially with Real Madrid's struggles this season.
30 minYELLOW CARD! Carrico (Sevilla) is booked for a foul on Vinicius.
32 minSevilla are pressing high up the field at the moment as they look to catch out Real Madrid, who are far from secure in a defensive position. Still goalless with 32 minutes on the clock here.
34 minCarvajal breaks down the right for Real Madrid before looking to deliver, but the defender is forced inside and eventually the cross comes from the left. Vaclik collects though.
36 minSevilla arguably the better team here despite Real Madrid starting well.
37 minSAVE! Comfortable save for Vaclik to keep out a strike from Benzema.
39 minModric and Vazquez clash heads in the middle of the park and both need treatment. Modric has a pretty nasty cut on his head and that might well need some stitches.
41 minModric and Vazquez seem fine to continue, but it was a really nasty collision. Modric has his head bandaged up and will also need to change his shirt due to the presence of blood.
43 minVazquez has supportive headwear on, while Modric has gone for the bandage. There will be a few minutes of added time at the end of the first period following the stoppage.
45 minNavas delivers another dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box, but the home side manage to clear their lines. Not too many clear chances in the first 45 minutes of this match.
45+1 minWe are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
45+2 minSAVE! Comfortable save for Vaclik to keep out a long-range Vinicius effort.
45+3 minHALF TIME: REAL MADRID 0-0 SEVILLA
4.04pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. In truth, it has not been the most entertaining of 45 minutes. Both sides have had chances to make the breakthrough, but the two teams have headed down the tunnel goalless.
4.09pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid had 65% of the possession in the first period, while they managed three attempts on target from their six shots. Sevilla, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their two attempts. One yellow to report - Sevilla's Carrico for a rash challenge on Vinicius.
4.14pmBENCH WATCH! Sevilla have recent arrival from Barcelona Munir El Haddadi on their bench this afternoon, while Promes and Aleix Vidal are also available for the visitors. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Isco, Brahim Diaz, Marcelo and Cristo Gonzalez.
46 minKICKOFF: Sevilla resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the play develops here.
49 minYou do get the feeling that one goal would be enough to win this match. Real Madrid are the team on the front foot at the moment, but no chances to report in the second period.
51 minBenzema attempts to squeeze his way through a number of challenges, but Carrico is on hand to make the challenge. Silva then goes down under a tackle from Varane but play does not stop.
53 minVinicius has again been Real Madrid's best player, but the Brazilian needs help from the likes of Benzema and Vazquez. The home side remain on the front foot at the moment here.
55 minSHOT! Casemiro misses the Sevilla goal with a strike from the edge of the box.
57 minAt the moment, the match report of this one will be titled - drab goalless draw. It has not been great, but there is still a solid 35 minutes of football for either team to take the lead here.
59 minBit more urgency from Real Madrid at the moment, but there has not been a clear chance in the second period. Still no movement on either bench with 59 minutes on the clock here.
60 minSHOT! Modric sees a shot deflected wide of the Sevilla post.
61 minSHOT! Ceballos now has one deflected behind as Real Madrid threaten.
63 minAll Real Madrid here as the home side continue to commit numbers in the final third of the field. Sevilla have not shown any attacking intent in the second half of this match.
63 minYELLOW CARD! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Ben Yedder.
65 minCLOSE! Vinicius just misses the post with a strike from outside the box!
66 minYELLOW CARD! Ceballos (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
68 minSevilla waste a free kick in a positive position as Banega tries something different and it does not come off. Real Madrid are now back on the break with players forward.
68 minOFF THE BAR! Ceballos rattles the crossbar with a powerful strike!
71 minLittle under 20 minutes of football remaining and it is still all Real Madrid, with Vinicius the player making things happen. You do get the feeling that there is a late goal in this one.
72 minSEVILLA SUB! Promes replaces Ben Yedder for the away side.
74 minSevilla will soon make their second change of the match with Munir getting ready here.
75 minSEVILLA SUB! Munir replaces Silva for Sevilla.
77 minCLOSE! Casemiro sees his header from a Modric free kick drop wide of the Sevilla goal.
78 minREAL MADRID SUB! Isco has replaced Vazquez for the home side.
78 minGOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 SEVILLA (CASEMIRO)
79 minIt is an absolute screamer from Casemiro! The Brazilian finds the top corner with a stunning hit from outside the Sevilla box. He will never, ever hit a better one than that.
81 minReal Madrid have not been great this afternoon, but there is no question that they deserve to be ahead at this stage of the match. Sevilla have struggled in the second half of action.
83 minReal Madrid are the team looking for the game's second goal with 83 minutes played.
85 minYELLOW CARD! Kjaer (Sevilla) is booked for a foul on Vinicius.
86 minSEVILLA SUB! Escudero is replaced by Gil.
88 minREAL MADRID SUB! Valverde replaces Ceballos for the home side.
90 minStill time for Sevilla to level, but the visitors have just not been in this match in the second period. It has been a big opportunity missed for the away side this afternoon.
90 minSHOT! Isco misses the crossbar with a free kick from distance.
90+1 minWe are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.
90+2 minAll Real Madrid here. Sevilla seem to have accepted the defeat.
90+3 minGOAL! REAL MADRID 2-0 SEVILLA (MODRIC)
90+3 minReal Madrid have their second of the match as Modric takes advantage of some poor defending from Carrico before finding the back of the net with a powerful finish!
90+4 minFULL TIME: REAL MADRID 2-0 SEVILLA
5.08pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 2-0 winners over Sevilla at the Bernabeu to move into third spot in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
5.11pmSo there we have it. Real Madrid move above Sevilla into third spot in La Liga with a 2-0 win at the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you next time!
