World Soccer.—Real Madrid put on a show at the Bernabéu just before the most important week of the season. According to Eurosport, the Merengues routed Sevilla 4-1 in LaLiga Matchday 9, with a two-goal performance by Kylian Mbappé—including a Panenka-style penalty kick—plus goals from Arda Güler and Yan Diomandé. Manu Bueno scored a consolation goal for the Andalusians, who have not won at the Bernabéu since December 2008.
The match had it all. Güler opened the scoring in the 30th minute off a pass from Diomandé, and seven minutes later, Mbappé finished with his left foot in a one-on-one situation to make it 2-0. In the second half, the Frenchman drew a penalty and converted it with a Panenka-style kick in the 63rd minute to complete his brace. Sevilla pulled one back in the 80th minute through Manu Bueno after a mistake by Mbappé coming off his line, but two minutes later, Diomandé fired a left-footed shot into the top corner for the final 4-1 score. Mbappé left the field to a standing ovation in the 84th minute.
There was no shortage of controversy: in the 22nd minute, VAR reviewed a possible foul by Güler on Peque for more than two minutes without finding a clear angle, and in the 62nd minute, the referee called a penalty on Mbappé that sparked debate. Courtois also prevented further goals with saves against Agoumé and Fofana.
With the win, José Mourinho’s Madrid climbed to third place with 21 points, one point behind Atlético Madrid and six behind Barcelona, the undefeated league leader. Sevilla, on the other hand, remained in sixth place with 14 points and confirmed that the Bernabéu continues to be their nightmare: the last time they earned a point there was on December 3–4, 2008.
Now comes the real test. Madrid hosts Leipzig in the Champions League midweek and visits Camp Nou next Sunday, October 25, for El Clásico against Barcelona. If the Merengues win, the gap would narrow from six to just three points. The rout of Sevilla was a warning: Madrid is on fire heading into the most anticipated match of the year.
