Luka Modric’s thunderbolt breaks Sevilla’s hearts as Real Madrid win again. football news

Veteran midfielder Luka Modric’s curling strike gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday, moving them eight points ahead of Barcelona in La Liga, where they are unbeaten in 20 matches. Madrid’s last league defeat came in September. Third-placed Verona is one point behind. They are not in action until Monday when they face Rayo Vallecano. With Jude Bellingham and Joselu both injured and Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Carvajal suspended, Madrid faltered in the opening exchanges and Youssef En-Nesyri missed the opening chance for the visitors.

Sunday’s game looked to be heading for a stalemate until 38-year-old Modric, playing as a late substitute, fired home a powerful strike from outside the box after 81 minutes as the referee waved to an angry Sevilla side. Off-side claim rejected.

An equally impressive Lucas Vazquez strike was wiped out by VAR after 10 minutes, a decision that drew jeers and a yellow card for Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“We deserved to win, we kept the intensity until the end and that’s what happens when you achieve it,” the Italian coach said.

The match marked the return of 37-year-old Sergio Ramos to the Santiago Bernabeu, where he spent 16 seasons, but it was Modric who grabbed the headlines.

“We proved that we never give up. It’s in Real Madrid’s DNA,” Modric said.

“We would have liked to score first, but it’s even more thrilling when it’s late.”

Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde had a lively game, hitting a post and scratching the crossbar in the first half, while Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo also went close.

Vinicius was behind Lucas Vazquez’s goal which was ruled out when Nacho clearly fouled Youssef En-Nesyri in the run-up.

Before the game, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the victims of the apartment block fire in the Spanish city of Valencia.

On Saturday, Xavi’s revived Barcelona side beat Getafe 4-0 to move into second place with recalled duo Joao Felix and Raphinha on the scoresheet.

Dutch midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez were also on target.

Barca coach

Bottom side Almeria twice came from behind to hold Atletico Madrid to a 2-2 draw. Due to the deadlock, the host team could not win even after 26 matches this season.

Atletico, which lost 1-0 at Inter Milan in midweek in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie, remains fourth, 13 points behind leaders Real Madrid.

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