Vazquez scores late against Alaves to send Real Madrid to top of La Liga

VITORIA-GASTEIZ: Lucas Vazquez scored in injury time to help Real Madrid register a 1-0 victory over the home side Alaves during the La Liga 2023/24 match at Mendizorrotza Stadium on Thursday.

This victory helped Real Madrid regain the top spot in the La Liga points table as the table-topper Girona drew 1-1 with Real Betis.

The homside Alaves frustrated Real Madrid throughout the first half before the Los Balncos’ defender Nacho Fernandez was sent off 10 minutes after the break.

With the clock going into second-half injury time without any goal, it looked like Girona would lead La Liga going into 2024 thanks to Madrid’s draw, however, 32-year-old Vazquez had other plans.

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Experienced Germany midfielder Toni Kroos whipped in a corner and Vazquez opened his account for the season with a free header, as Los Blancos top the table on goal difference before La Liga takes a break until January 2.

Meanwhile, Girona played their last away game of the year against Real Betis at Benito Villamarín Stadium, where both teams settled for a 1-1 stalemate.

The surprise package of La Liga 2023-24 Girona started the game on high and earned a penalty in the 38th minute which was successfully converted by Artem Dovbyk.

This was Dovbyk’s eleventh goal this season, making him the joint-third highest goal scorer in the season.

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Girona held on to the lead throughout the second half and they appeared to solidify their top spot in La Liga 2023-24, however, Germán Pezzella rained on their parade with an equalizer in the 88th minute.

Pezzella found William Carvalho’s cross following a corner and hit a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to level the scores 1-1.

In another La Liga game at Iberostar Stadium, Mallorca registered their third victory this season as they defeated Osasuna 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.

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Real Madrid defender David Alaba suffers cruciate ligament injury

Real Madrid defender David Alaba will be sidelined for months after suffering a severe knee injury in his team’s 4-1 win over Villarreal on Sunday in La Liga.

The Austrian centre-back went off hurt in the first half after attempting to challenge Villarreal forward Gerard Moreno.

“After the tests carried out on our player David Alaba, he has been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee,” said Madrid in a statement.

“The player will undergo surgery in the coming days.”

Alaba’s injury adds to cruciate ligament injuries for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Eder Militao, while midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is also sidelined with a knee ligament rupture.

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Madrid have only two fit central defenders, in Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez.

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni returned from injury as a substitute against Villarreal and could be chosen to cover in defence by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“It’s a shame, it’s very sad, and I’ve never had three cruciate ligament (problems) in four months,” Ancelotti told reporters after David Alaba’s injury.

“We have carried that and done more than what people thought.”

Real Madrid are also without star forward Vinicius Junior, who has a hamstring injury, but Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz have helped fill in for the Brazilian.

All three scored along with Luka Modric in Madrid’s convincing win over Villarreal.

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Real Madrid defender David Alaba suffers cruciate ligament injury

Real Madrid defender David Alaba will be sidelined for months after suffering a severe knee injury in his team’s 4-1 win over Villarreal on Sunday in La Liga.

The Austrian centre-back went off hurt in the first half after attempting to challenge Villarreal forward Gerard Moreno.

“After the tests carried out on our player David Alaba, he has been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee,” said Madrid in a statement.

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“The player will undergo surgery in the coming days.”

Alaba’s injury adds to cruciate ligament injuries for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Eder Militao, while midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is also sidelined with a knee ligament rupture.

Madrid have only two fit central defenders, in Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez.

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni returned from injury as a substitute against Villarreal and could be chosen to cover in defence by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

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“It’s a shame, it’s very sad, and I’ve never had three cruciate ligament (problems) in four months,” Ancelotti told reporters after Alaba’s injury.

“We have carried that and done more than what people thought.”

Madrid are also without star forward Vinicius Junior, who has a hamstring injury, but Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz have helped fill in for the Brazilian.

All three scored along with Luka Modric in Madrid’s convincing win over Villarreal.

READ: Real Madrid return to the top of La Liga after crushing Villarreal 4-1

Real Madrid return to the top of La Liga after crushing Villarreal 4-1

MADRID: Real Madrid displaced Girona and returned to the top of the La Liga 2023/24 points table after a crushing 4-1 victory over Villarreal at their home Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Sunday.

Villarreal were coming off a heavy 3-0 defeat in their last La Liga game against Real Sociedad and faced a dominant Real Madrid, who gained an early advantage in the 25th minute.

Star English midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is having a dream debut season at Real Madrid opened the scoring with a header off Luka Modric’s cross.

This was Bellingham’s 17th goal of the season in 20 games for Los Blancos.

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They further extended their lead in the 37th minute as Rodrygo scored from the centre of the box following a corner to end the first half at 2-0.

The home side started the second half strongly, however, Villarreal’s Luis Morales decreased the deficit within ten minutes of the second half as he carried the ball into the box to slot past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

However, Real Madrid did not take much time to regain their two-goal lead with Brahim Diaz firing low into the right corner in the 64th minute.

Season Croatian midfielder Luka Modric also got his name in the scoresheet four minutes later with a brilliant left-footed shot from the centre of the box.

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Real Madrid’s 4-1 lead remained intact until the final whistle and helped them replace Girona at the top of the Spanish league points table.

In another La Liga match, Valencia made a comeback in the 70th minute to draw 1-1 with defending champions Barcelona at Mestalla Stadium.

Joao Felix scored the only goal for the defending champions in the 15th minute of the second half, however, Hugo Guillamon scored the equalizer for the home side to draw the game.

Barcelona are currently placed at the third position in the La Liga points table.

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Jude Bellingham breaks Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record

English midfielder Jude Bellingham has broken the club record for scoring the most goals in the first 15 matches at Real Madrid, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo in his debut La Liga season.

Bellingham contributed to Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Cadiz at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, with a goal and an assist to extending his goal tally to 14 in the ongoing season.

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He left Real Madrid legends Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo Di Stefano and Pruden Sanchez behind to claim the record as they all scored 13 goals in their first 15 games.

Bellingham’s feat is even more impressive considering the fact that he plays in the midfield while the legends he surpassed are all strikers.

Jude Bellingham has been in impressive form in the ongoing season since making his La Liga debut with a goal in Real Madrid’s season opener against Atheltic Club.

Bellingham was signed by Real Madrid this summer from Borussia Dortmund at a base transfer fee of €103 million.

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He is currently the top-scorer in La Liga 2023-24 and a solid contender for Pichichi, an award for the top-scorer in the Spanish league with 14 goals, followed by Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann with nine goals.

Bellingham’s side Real Madrid are currently sitting at the top of the La Liga points table after defeating Cadiz, with a point clear of high-flying Girona, who host Athletic Bilbao on Monday in their pursuit to reclaim the top spot.

READ: Rodrygo’s brace sends Real Madrid at the top of La Liga

Rodrygo’s brace sends Real Madrid at the top of La Liga

Rodrygo sent Real Madrid provisionally to the top of the La Liga points table with two goals in a comfortable 3-0 win at Cadiz on Sunday.

The Brazilian winger also set up a goal for La Liga’s top scorer Jude Bellingham, who now has 11 to his name this season in the Spanish top flight.

Real Madrid climbed a point clear of high-flying Girona, who host Athletic Bilbao on Monday in their pursuit to reclaim the top spot.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side also rose four points clear of fourth-placed rivals Barcelona, following their 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, and third-placed Atletico Madrid.

Madrid were dealt severe blows over the past fortnight with Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga suffering long-term injuries, joining Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Aurelien Tchouameni on the sidelines.

Despite that, Madrid secured a straightforward victory which is not something they take for granted after the international break, and less so with an injury-ravaged squad.

“Sometimes difficulty is just more motivation and the players understood that very well,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“All the absences that we have are important players, but we managed it well and the team was very good out there.”

The Italian coach started Toni Kroos in defensive midfield and brought veteran playmaker Luka Modric into the team for only his fifth start in La Liga this season.

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Bellingham also returned after missing two league games and England’s Euro qualifiers with a shoulder injury.

Madrid dominated the opening stages and took the lead after 14 minutes when Rodrygo dribbled across the penalty area and curled a sumptuous strike into the top right corner.

The Brazilian struggled for goals at the start of the season but Ancelotti kept faith in him and with Vinicius sidelined, he will be crucial for Madrid in the coming weeks.

Rodrygo’s goals mean he has scored in three consecutive games for the first time since arriving at the club in 2019.

“Rodrygo is back — he made the difference today,” said Ancelotti.

Cadiz had their chances in an open first half too, with Chris Ramos heading over before Rodrygo’s opener and Andriy Lunin tipping Roger Marti’s fierce effort to safety.

Madrid should have doubled their lead early in the second half after Rodrygo dribbled around Cadiz goalkeeper Conan Ledesma, but Joselu left it to him to finish, and he in turn left it for the veteran striker, with the ball running out of play.

However Rodrygo had his second soon enough, another fine strike after dribbling into the box from 30 yards out.

After Maxi Gomez missed a fine chance for the hosts, the inspired Rodrygo set up the third for Bellingham and the England international drilled a tidy low finish across goal with his left foot.

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With the job done, Ancelotti withdrew both goalscorers and handed young forward Gonzalo Garcia his debut.

“I’m grateful and happy, since I was little I’ve been a Real Madrid fan and I’ve dreamed of playing with the first team,” Garcia, 19, told Real Madrid TV.

“I’ll keep the shirt and I’ll ask my team-mates to sign it.”

The only negative note for Madrid was Modric going off with what Ancelotti said was a “muscle overload”.

Madrid host Napoli on Wednesday in the Champions League having already qualified from the group but looking to seal the top spot.

Earlier Sunday, Marcelino Garcia Toral enjoyed a comfortable win on his return to La Liga management with Villarreal, with Jose Luis Morales’ hat-trick sinking Osasuna 3-1.

Real Sociedad, fifth, earned a 2-1 win at Sevilla, who had Sergio Ramos and Jesus Navas sent off.

Veteran defender Ramos’s dismissal was the 29th red card of his career and a record-extending 21st in La Liga.

Willian Jose’s goal helped Real Betis, seventh, edge Las Palmas 1-0 to pull level with Athletic Bilbao, sixth, on 24 points.

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La Liga: Vinicius and Rodrygo help Real Madrid dismantle sorry Valencia

Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo struck twice each as Real Madrid thrashed Valencia 5-1 on Saturday to stay hot on the heels of shock La Liga leaders Girona.

Dani Carvajal opened the scoring for Los Blancos before the Brazilian duo took the reins as they romped to victory, to trail Girona by two points after they won 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano.

Madrid were without key player Jude Bellingham, watching on from a box at the Santiago Bernabeu alongside his mother after he suffered a shoulder injury last weekend from which he has not fully recovered.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said it was his team’s finest performance of the ongoing La Liga campaign to date.

“It was the best game, Valencia were not able to show their best level because we played very well,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“In the last two matches we’ve been a complete team, playing good football, with quality, sacrifice, commitment, we’ve done well.”

Vinicius, who toyed with Valencia’s defence, was facing them for the first time since he was racially abused in the east coast club’s stadium in May, sparking worldwide outrage.

Rodrygo set up his Brazilian compatriot’s goals before scoring two himself on a superb night for a duo who had struggled for form until this week.

“Now we are in our best moment (of the season),” Rodrygo told Real Madrid TV.

“We are back to being the Rodry and Vini that the fans want to see… if they are happy then I am happy too.”

Spain’s top scorer with 10 league goals, Bellingham’s absence increased worries about Madrid’s attacking prowess, but they were rapidly quelled.

Carvajal dispelled doubts with a superb left-foot strike from outside the area in the third minute.

Andriy Lunin, starting in goal again for Madrid after Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Thibaut Courtois on the sidelines, denied Valencia forward Hugo Duro twice in the early stages with fine stops at the other end.

Then Vinicius and Rodrygo lit up the Bernabeu.

Vinicius extended Real Madrid’s lead with a unique strike, diving to chest the ball home after Rodrygo fizzed a low cross into the box for him.

He grabbed his second soon after the break, beating Giorgi Mamardashvili at the near post from outside the box.

The Valencia goalkeeper erred badly almost immediately after to hand Madrid their fourth on a plate, passing the ball straight to Rodrygo, who stroked home.

Rodrygo and Vinicius stepped up again in Bellingham’s absence, as they did in midweek when he was benched against Braga.

Rodrygo jinked into the area and finished well for Madrid’s fifth, before Duro grabbed a consolation at the third time of asking for Valencia.

Madrid’s win stopped Girona from escaping the chasing pack.

“Girona are doing very well, better than the other teams,” added Ancelotti.

“They don’t have any European competition, obviously they are an opponent who can fight for the title, I have no doubt about that.”

Girona came from behind to beat Rayo and keep the pressure on Spain’s traditional giants in the ongoing season of La Liga.

Artem Dovbyk and Savinho fired the Catalan minnows to an impressive victory in the capital which leaves them seven points above Barcelona, third, who host Alaves Sunday.

Girona, only in the top flight for the fourth season in their history, have played the best football in La Liga this season and gave another example of it against Rayo.

“The team does not give up, when we’re behind on the scoreboard we play even better. I’m happy to keep going, up there at the top,” Girona captain and playmaker Aleix Garcia told Movistar.

The hosts took the lead after five minutes when a Girona clearance struck Rayo’s Isi Palazon and fell into Alvaro Garcia’s path in the area, and he fired into the far corner.

However, Michel’s side dominated the coach’s former team and it was no surprise when Dovbyk levelled with his seventh league goal of the season.

Girona winger Savinho sent the visitors ahead in the 65th minute, netting the rebound after Rayo goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski brilliantly blocked Dovbyk’s effort.

The Catalan team started the ongoing La Liga season with the objective of staying up, but have raised their ambitions after 11 wins from 13 games.

“We have to be realistic, we’re not only thinking about survival now, I think the team can do a lot more,” added Garcia.

“We want to keep dreaming… what will come, will come.”

Elsewhere Real Sociedad earned a 3-1 win at winless, bottom-of-the-table Almeria to move sixth.

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Real Madrid ease past Braga to reach Champions League last 16

Record 14-time winners Real Madrid swanned into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday with a comfortable 3-0 win over Braga to maintain their 100 percent record.

Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes were on target for the Spanish giants, who sealed progress from Group C even without rested top goalscorer Jude Bellingham.

Brazilian wingers Vinicius and Rodrygo have been criticised for their lack of goals this season and both responded with classy finishes to help send their team through after Diaz opened the scoring.

Madrid have four wins from four games, leading the group on 12 points ahead of Napoli, second on seven after a 1-1 draw with bottom team Union Berlin.

Madrid have now reached the knock-out phase in 26 consecutive editions of the tournament.

“It tells me that Real Madrid have done better than others in this competition, because getting through the group is not always that simple,” coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

“We are very happy to reach the last 16, but it doesn’t mean we’re going to switch off in the last two games because for us, all Champions League games are there to show our best level in.”

Los Blancos goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga suffered an injury in the warm-up, with Andriy Lunin stepping in to replace him.

The Ukrainian was immediately called into action, diving to his right to palm away Alvaro Djalo’s penalty in the sixth minute.

Lucas Vazquez had pulled Cristian Borja down in the area, but the Portuguese side could not take advantage from the spot.

At the other end Diaz had a goal ruled out for a foul by Vinicius, but the former Manchester City midfielder did not have to wait too long for another, this time valid.

Sent through on the left side of the area, Rodrygo cut the ball back to Diaz who fired into the roof of the net from close range to break the deadlock.

The 24-year-old broke out into sarcastic celebration, drawing a VAR screen as if to dare the officials to try and disallow this strike.

Diaz, operating in Bellingham’s usual attacking midfield role, did well on a rare start and was involved in most of Madrid’s forward moves.

Bellingham, who has netted 13 times in 14 games since his summer switch, watched on from the bench as Ancelotti let him recover from a shoulder problem he suffered in the Rayo draw.

Diaz should have struck again but was denied by a superb double save from Benfica goalkeeper Matheus early in the second half.

“I’m doing my thing and showing that I can perform, and help the coach,” Diaz told reporters.

“There are very good players here but I’m showing that I can handle more minutes — bit by bit, everything comes.”

Vinicius netted the second before the hour mark, with some clever movement and footwork in the box and then a smooth low finish.

It was his fourth goal of the season across all competitions in 12 games, low by his own standards, but Ancelotti has predicted he and Rodrygo will outscore Bellingham by the end of the campaign.

Rodrygo netted Madrid’s third with an exquisite chipped finish after his compatriot Vinicius played him in, and embraced Ancelotti on the sideline in celebration.

The coach had advocated patience for his dynamic duo up front and both paid him back with goals that delighted the Santiago Bernabeu.

“(The hug) was to thank him,” Rodrygo explained. “We have to judge people when we’re not in a good moment, then you see who they really are.

“I wasn’t in a good moment, the coach was always with me, always supporting me, saying good things — I was obliged to score and to go and thank him.”

Lunin thwarted former Barcelona striker Abel Ruiz in stoppage time with an excellent save to keep out his header and preserve Madrid’s clean sheet, ensuring it was a near-perfect night at both ends.

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La Liga: Bellingham brace earns Real Madrid Clasico win at Barcelona

Jude Bellingham’s stunning double snatched Real Madrid a 2-1 comeback victory at Barcelona in his first La Liga Clasico on Saturday.

The England international, who has started his Madrid career in remarkable goalscoring form, unleashed a rocket into the top corner from distance after Ilkay Gundogan had sent hosts Barcelona ahead at the Olympic Stadium.

Bellingham then fired home a second in stoppage time from close range to silence Barcelona fans and reach 10 goals in the top flight in the ongoing La Liga season.

Barcelona hit the woodwork twice and had the better of the game but Bellingham, La Liga’s top goalscorer, is in unstoppable form and inevitably made his mark in his first Clasico.

Bellingham’s brace sent Madrid to the top of La Liga, ahead of Girona on goal difference, with both teams four points ahead of Barcelona in third.

“I love these comebacks, it played with my heart a little bit (but) they’re always so fun to play in,” Bellingham told Real Madrid TV.

“We didn’t give up and I’m so happy I could do it.”

Bellingham didn’t waste time celebrating his equaliser, keeping a cool head and quickly preparing to re-start the game, in search of the eventual winner.

“He seems like a veteran… the goal to level it totally changed the game,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said of his 20-year-old match-winner.

“What was surprising today was his shot, he’s always arriving in the box, today he scored a stupendous goal from in front of the area.”

Bellingham has now scored 13 goals in 13 games for Real Madrid across all competitions.

“He can get to 20 or 25 goals, because he has started very well,” added Ancelotti.

Barcelona could not believe the points had slipped out of their hands after a strong performance.

“The summary is simple, we had 60 very good minutes where we scored a goal, they had 20 to 25 minutes and they scored two,” said coach Xavi.

“I think Madrid’s victory today is unjust… they were much more efficient than us, that is the big difference.”

Barcelona were boosted during this most anticipated La Liga clash by the returns of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha from injury, with Xavi naming them on the bench.

His counterpart Ancelotti once again deployed Bellingham in the number 10 role as he got his first taste of arguably the world’s biggest club football match.

However, it was another midfielder playing for the first time in the Clasico who broke the deadlock — Barcelona’s summer arrival Gundogan.

The former Manchester City man was sharpest when Aurelien Tchouameni intercepted Ferran Torres’ pass, diverting it back into his own area.

David Alaba tried to clear but was thoroughly unconvincing and Gundogan read his intentions, hopped onto the ball and swept past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the sixth minute.

Fermin Lopez, one of the emerging young Barcelona La Masia academy products, then slapped a shot against the post.

Gavi, Gundogan and Lopez controlled the midfield, with Joao Cancelo’s more advanced position allowing Barcelona additional defensive security.

Barcelona struck the woodwork again when Inigo Martinez headed Lopez’s inch-perfect cross against the post.

Madrid were reduced to long-range efforts but eventually one ripped into the net to level the score, with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen could not keep out Bellingham’s blast, pulling Madrid level in a game they had struggled to find a foothold in.

Bellingham intervened decisively in stoppage time, in the right place at the right time to finish after Luka Modric diverted Dani Carvajal’s cross into his path.

If Madrid’s comeback played with Bellingham’s heart, it broke Barcelona’s.

“The message for everyone, the players too, is that this season is long, it’s the 11th game,” said Xavi, trying to rouse his troops who seemed despondent at full-time.

In contrast, Bellingham was naturally overjoyed.

“It was a little bit emotional thinking about all the times I watched (the Clasico) on my sofa with my family,” added Bellingham.

“I said to them today it was my turn to make an impression — I’ve done that and I’m really happy.”

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La Liga: Ramos’ Sevilla hold leaders Real Madrid as Atletico Madrid climb second

Real Madrid shared a pulsating 1-1 draw with Sergio Ramos’ Sevilla on Saturday, ensuring they will face Barcelona in the Clasico next weekend as La Liga leaders.

Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann struck a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over 10-man Celta Vigo to help Atletico Madrid climb provisionally second in the La Liga points table, in hot pursuit of their city rivals.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid dropped two points in the La Liga title race but extended their lead to four points over bitter rivals Barcelona, who are in fourth place and host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

David Alaba’s own goal sent the hosts ahead but Madrid quickly pulled level through Dani Carvajal.

Madrid faced their former captain Sergio Ramos, back at Sevilla for the first time in 18 years, and the 37-year-old gave a typically all-action display to frustrate Los Blancos.

Sevilla impressed, giving as good as they got in new coach Diego Alonso’s first match in charge, ahead of their Champions League clash with Arsenal on Tuesday.

Los Blancos players were left unhappy by decisions to rule out goals for Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham, the latter after Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos had gone down hurt with Madrid piling forward.

Madrid faced off against Ramos, 37, who rejoined his boyhood club Sevilla in September and put in a heroic defensive display at the raucous Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium.

Ramos produced a stunning block as Alaba tried to turn home from close range and later squared off with his Madrid successor, Antonio Rudiger, squeezing the German’s cheeks.

Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland saved Vinicius Junior’s volley before the break, one of Madrid’s clearest chances.

The goalkeeper then denied Rodrygo early in the second half with a superb save with his legs, as the visitors hunted for the breakthrough.

Ramos, in his element, produced multiple blocks and clearances to keep Madrid at bay, before Sevilla took the lead.

Alaba, under pressure from Youssef En-Nesyri, accidentally turned Ocampos’ cross into his own net with 15 minutes remaining.

However, the Andalusians were not able to hold on to it for long, with Carvajal heading Toni Kroos’s free-kick home at the near post four minutes later.

Tempers frayed in the final stages as Vinicius pushed Nyland, who fell to the floor theatrically, sparking a shoving match.

Sevilla said they ejected a fan after an instance of racist abuse during the game, with Spanish media running images of a man appearing to make a monkey gesture at Vinicius during the brawl.

Atletico’s big La Liga win at Celta was aided by home goalkeeper Ivan Villa’s red card midway through the first half for felling Alvaro Morata.

Griezmann tucked away the resulting penalty and hit two more to move second in La Liga’s goalscoring charts on seven strikes.

The Frenchman netted his second when he drove forward brilliantly from inside his own half into the Celta area, and then slipped as he tried to cross the ball, accidentally driving it past Guaita at the near post.

“It was a cross, I wanted to cross it in and for that reason I said sorry to (Morata),” Griezmann told Movistar.

The forward slotted Nahuel Molina’s low cross home to complete his treble and round off a superb night for the Rojiblancos and Diego Simeone.

“Until the penalty they seemed like they could hurt us,” said the Argentine coach, who admitted Rafa Benitez’s Celta, 18th, had started well.

“The penalty and the red card changed things.”

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