Real Madrid gets back on track with a flurry of spectacular goals against Sevilla

With one week to go before a decisive Clásico against FC Barcelona, Real Madrid regained its smile and finally showed some form thanks to a brace by Kylian Mbappé in the 4-1 victory over Sevilla FC this Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

The constant controversies that mark the day-to-day life of Real Madrid have not disappeared—far from it—and chants from Madrid fans demanding the resignation of LaLiga president Javier Tebas were a constant reminder throughout the match.

But that noise was finally pushed into the background thanks to a solid team performance and spectacular goals by Arda Güler (30'), Kylian Mbappé, who scored a brace (37' and 61' on a Panenka-style penalty), and Yan Diomandé (82'), which allowed the Merengues (3rd) to remain six points behind Barcelona, the leader with a perfect record.

"It was a good game by Real Madrid, with many players who performed at a high individual level. We controlled it from the first to the last minute, and we scored quality goals," Real Madrid coach José Mourinho stated

A key player in Wednesday's 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma, Güler, starting as a central midfielder alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni in place of Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde—who was moved to right back—once again delighted with his left foot and found the top left corner of Sevilla's net to open the scoring at the half-hour mark.

Mbappé: A work of art and a Panenka

Off his game early on, Mbappé unintentionally prevented Valverde from scoring. Valverde's powerful shot was headed for the net (17') before going on to score a brace.

First, he brought the Bernabéu to its feet by executing a controlled touch with his back to goal, a full turn, and two touches to beat the goalkeeper, and then he converted a penalty, which he had drawn himself, with a Panenka-style finish.

The French forward, booed by his own fans last weekend, received a standing ovation in the 85th minute when he was substituted for Carlos Espí.

Sevilla (6th), who came up against a stellar Thibaut Courtois, had unsuccessfully appealed for a red card in the first half after Güler elbowed Peque, a play that could have changed the course of the match.

"They've deprived us of playing a 10-on-11 match. I hope you all run the same headline today as the Sevilla website: 'Elbow and it's over,'"  Sevilla coach Luis García said, visibly angry at the press conference.

His team narrowed the gap in the closing minutes thanks to a goal by young Manuel Bueno, who capitalized on a turnover by Mbappé (80'), before conceding a fourth goal on a thunderous strike by Ivorian Yan Diomandé, who was rewarded for his perseverance on the left wing after coming on as a substitute for Vinícius Junior, who is serving a four-game suspension.

With information from AFP.