Mbappe scores twice as Real Madrid thrash Sevilla 4-1 ahead of El Clasico

Real Madrid boosted their confidence ahead of next weekend’s El Clasico after Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a commanding 4-1 victory over Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday.

The French forward struck once in each half at the Santiago Bernabeu, helping Real secure their third consecutive win in all competitions since the international break and move within six points of league leaders Barcelona.

Arda Guler opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a superb finish into the top corner after receiving a pass from Yan Diomande, who had been involved in the build-up to the attack.

Mbappe doubled Real’s advantage seven minutes later, turning sharply to evade his marker before racing towards goal and calmly beating Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Real maintained their attacking threat after the break despite Sevilla attempting to fight their way back into the contest.

The visitors came close to reducing the deficit when Felix Correia threatened, but Federico Valverde produced a crucial defensive intervention to preserve Real’s two-goal lead.

Mbappe extended the advantage in the 63rd minute after Andres Castrin brought him down inside the penalty area. The France international converted the resulting spot-kick with a Panenka-style finish, chipping the ball into the net to make it 3-0.

Sevilla pulled one back in the 80th minute when substitute Manu Bueno finished neatly after Mbappe lost possession deep inside his own half.

The response was short-lived, however, as Diomande restored Real’s three-goal cushion two minutes later with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area, capping an impressive performance.

Real played without suspended forward Vinicius Junior but still demonstrated the attacking quality needed to overcome Sevilla comfortably.

The victory lifted Jose Mourinho’s side to third place with 21 points, one behind Atletico Madrid, while Sevilla remained sixth on 14 points.

Mbappe’s brace further strengthened Real’s position ahead of their crucial meeting with Barcelona next Sunday, when the Spanish rivals will renew their battle for supremacy in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the LaLiga season.

Another positive development for Madrid was the return of defender Eder Militao, who came on in the 85th minute for his first appearance since undergoing hamstring surgery in April.

Real will now turn their attention to the Clasico, knowing that another victory would help them reduce Barcelona’s advantage and intensify the race for the Spanish league title.