Just days before kickoff, Real Madrid's lineup for the Sevilla match had fans buzzing. Andriy Lunin made the list, even after coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted he wasn't certain about his form earlier in the week. Lucas Vázquez, fresh from an injury scare, was given the green light. However, the squad was without two attacking regulars—Brahim Díaz and Vinicius Júnior. That left the door open for younger faces, with names like Endrick and Víctor Muñoz seeing a big opportunity on the bench.
The full 20-man list showed Ancelotti's desire to spread experience across the field. Goalkeeping duties were split among Thibaut Courtois, Lunin, and academy product Sergio Mestre. The defense featured seasoned Vázquez alongside less familiar names like Jesús Vallejo, Fran García, Youssef, Jacobo, and Mario Rivas. In midfield, the blend included stars Jude Bellingham and Luka Modrić, joined by Fede Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, and homegrown Chema. Up front, Kylian Mbappé led the charge, with support from rising talents Endrick, Gonzalo, and Muñoz.
The match itself was set for Sunday night, and the Santiago Bernabéu had an edge in the air with both the title chase and heated rivalry in the background. Real Madrid's approach was methodical, balancing their experienced heads with flashes from the club's next generation. Sevilla, already struggling to keep their place in mid-table, found themselves hampered even further as two red cards reduced them to just nine men before full time.
While the first half offered plenty of buildup but no goals, Madrid ramped up the tempo after the break. The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute: Mbappé, after a series of near-misses, broke the deadlock with a sharp finish past Sevilla's defense. With the visiting side stretched thin, Jude Bellingham took full advantage in the closing minutes, slotting home in the 87th and sealing the contest.
This 2-0 result means more than just three points. It keeps Real Madrid second in La Liga, now sitting seven points behind fierce rivals Barcelona as the season nears its climax. Every game feels like a must-win, and the combination of Mbappé's decisiveness and Bellingham's late-game energy proved just enough to keep the dream alive. Fans are left wondering: With Madrid able to mix youth and experience, how much closer can they push for the La Liga crown?