Real Madrid welcomed Sevilla to the Bernabeu on Wednesday knowing that victory would move the capital side four points clear at the top of the La Liga table.
The hosts lead 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from James Rodriguez and Jese Rodriguez.
Both sides had chances in the second period and Sevilla cut the deficit to one goal late on through Iago Aspas.
The visitors could not find another, however, as Los Blancos claimed all three points by the narrowest of margins.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Well this is a treat isn't it? A mid-week La Liga match. It is of course the re-scheduled clash from last December, with Real Madrid welcoming Sevilla to the Bernabeu. Both sides are enjoying excellent seasons, but something has to give in the capital. It should be a cracker. Be sure to stay with Sports Mole for minute-by-minute live commentary of the action.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Isco, Kroos, Khedira; Bale, Benzema, James
SEVILLA: Beto; Diogo, Carrico, Kolo, Navarro; Krychowiak, Iborra, Mbia; Deulofeu, Bacca, Vitolo
Still no Cristiano Ronaldo for the home side as the Portuguese serves the final game of his suspension. Pepe and Luka Modric remain on the sidelines, while Dani Carvajal has been rested. As a result, Raphael Varane, Sami Khedira and James Rodriguez all start, with the latter moving further forward.
For Sevilla, first-choice goalkeeper Beto has passed a late fitness test to take his place between the sticks. Ever Banega is suspended, but Stephane Mbia starts for the first time since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. There is also a spot at centre-back for French defender Timothee Kolodziejczak.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Real Madrid have won three of the last five matches, with Sevilla also winning twice. Earlier this season, Real Madrid beat Sevilla 2-0 in the European Super Cup. In the 2013-14 campaign, Sevilla were 2-1 winners in the league at the Estadio Ramon, but Real Madrid thumped Sevilla 7-3 in one of the games of the season in the capital last term.
As it stands, Real Madrid sit top of the table on 51 points. They have won 17 and lost three of their 20 league games this season, while they boast a goal difference of plus 51. Victory this evening would move them four points clear of second-place Barcelona and seven points clear of third-place Atletico Madrid ahead of their trip to the Vicente Calderon this weekend - what a match that promises to be.
Real Madrid's home form this season has been strong, with eight wins from their nine league games at the Bernabeu. Last time out, they beat Real Sociedad 4-1 despite falling behind inside the first minute on their own patch. The Champions League holders are entering a vital stage of the season as they chase success both domestically and in the European Cup. Tonight is a massive game for both sides.
Sevilla, however, will provide a stern test this evening. Unai Emery's side will enter the match off the back of a 3-2 home win over Espanyol at the weekend, which they secured courtesy of a late strike from on-loan Liverpool forward Iago Aspas. The three points moved them into fourth position in the table – one point ahead of fifth-place Valencia, who they lost against the weekend before last.
Sevilla's success this season, however, has been built on excellent home form rather than their record on the road. At the Estadio Ramon, they have won eight of their 11 matches, remaining unbeaten in the process and conceding just seven times. However, on the road, where they have notoriously struggled in recent seasons, they have lost four of their nine matches. Can they shock Los Blancos here?
PREDICTION! For me, this will be a home win. Sevilla are having a great season and will enter this match full of confidence, but I am finding it very difficult to look past the hosts in the capital. I think it will be tight for long spells, but my score prediction is 3-1 Real Madrid, with Bale among the scorers.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Real Madrid looking for a fast start here. Sevilla will want to settle as soon as possible in Madrid.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the Sevilla as some terrible defending from the home side allows Vitolo into the box, but his effort is straight at Casillas. It really should be 1-0 here.
Not too much from the home side in terms of attacking football, but Bale has been involved down the right. It is the away supporters making most of the noise inside the opening five minutes in Madrid.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following some late challenges. It has been a decent start from Sevilla, with the visitors restricting Real Madrid to very little early on. You just get the feeling that the first goal is going to be just vital here.
It appears Real Madrid will be forced into an early change here, with Ramos struggling...
SUB! Indeed the change is made as Nacho replaces Ramos just nine minutes in.
Not too much is happening at the moment as Sevilla continue to close the door in the final third, with the fans starting to show their frustrations. It is only 11 minutes in! Pressure at the Bernabeu once more.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Sevilla (James)
Los Blancos open the scoring after 12 minutes as James heads a deep Marcelo cross into the back of the net. It was terrible defending from Sevilla, who allowed James all sorts of time and space.
Well, Sevilla started this match quite well, but poor defending has given them a mountain to climb inside the opening 15 minutes. Real Madrid are in control as they pass and probe in the Sevilla half.
Half-chance for Sevilla on the counter as Iborra drives into the Real Madrid box, but Nacho is across to make a smart challenge. The visitors are certainly a threat in the final third of the field.
POST! Another wonderful chance for Sevilla as Vitolo slides a super pass into Iborra, who rounds Casillas before placing his effort towards the bottom corner, but he smashes the post. From the resulting corner, Krychowiak heads just over the crossbar. Sevilla have had the better chances here.
Well, 21 minutes in and the home side are fortunate to be ahead. Sevilla have had two golden chances to open their tally, but they have been unable to register. Khedira has a half-chance for Real Madrid after good work from Marcelo, but the German's effort was always moving wide of Beto's post.
CHANCE! Real Madrid are all over the place at the back at the moment as Sevilla have another golden chance, but Vitolo's effort is straight at Casillas and Bacca cannot connect with the rebound.
Real Madrid might be leading, but they are not playing well here as Sevilla continue to boss matters in the final third. The visitors are such a threat at the moment, but Krychowiak fires wide in their latest chance. You just get the feeling that the away side are going to be made to regret missed chances.
Wow - Real Madrid are going to be forced into another change here as James goes down the tunnel.
SUB! The change is made as Jese enters the field in place of James. The home side have lost both Ramos and James to injuries in the opening 27 minutes. Their injury list is mounting!
Sevilla continue to look dangerous as Vitolo drives down the right before attempting to deliver, but Arbeloa is across to make the challenge. The resulting corner is headed clear by Jese, but the pressure continues from the visitors. Emery's side certainly fancy their chances of pulling off a shock here.
Half-chance for Benzema as the Frenchman attempts to meet a cross from Jese, but the forward takes out Beto, who was committed to the challenge. There is concern over the goalkeeper here.
Beto entered this match with a thigh problem, but this is a different matter entirely.
It appears that Sevilla will be forced to change their goalkeeper - another forced change in Madrid.
The change will be made. Sergio Rico, who is just 22, will replace the injured Beto here. This is the third time this season that Beto has been forced off with an injury in the first half of a match.
SUB! Rico enters the field in place of Beto. There will be a chunk of injury time at the end of this half, there is no question about that. Beto leaves the field on a stretcher, but he is conscious.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla (Jese)
Real Madrid have their second of the match as Benzema rolls a low cross into the box, which Jese smashes into the bottom corner. Again, it is poor defending from Sevilla. Real have daylight here.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Arbeloa picks out Benzema inside the box, but his low effort is just wide of the post. Sevilla really need to switch on defensively here.
BOOKING! Diogo (Sevilla) goes into the book for a poor challenge on Jese.
There is going to be a large chunk of injury time at the end of this half following that injury to Beto and therefore we should still have around 10 minutes of the first period to play in the Spanish capital.
BOOKING! Navarro (Sevilla) is now booked for a lunge on Bale.
BOOKING! Varane (Real Madrid) is now booked for handling in his own half. It appeared that Bacca was through on goal and that could easily have been a red card - wow. Scenes!
Only four minutes have been added. FOUR?! It should be at least eight!
Not too much to report in stoppage time, with the home side comfortable in possession of the ball. Sevilla have played pretty well, but they are probably one goal away from being out of this match.
CHANCE! Just as I say that, Bale finds Khedira inside the Sevilla box, but Rico is on hand to make a super save. That could have been game, set and match in the Spanish capital already.
Varane nods just over the crossbar as another Real Madrid set piece causes problems.
BOOKING! Mbia (Sevilla) is now booked for a poor challenge on Khedira. It is all getting a little bit silly in the latter stages of this half. The interval will hopefully settle things down!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla
Well, that was a really strange half of football. Sevilla have had a number of excellent chances, but trail courtesy of goals from James Rodriguez and Jese Rodriguez. There have been three first-half changes, meanwhile, with Sevilla goalkeeper Beto leaving the field on a stretcher. Neither side has defended well, but the hosts have taken their chances. All in all, it has been quite bizarre, but always entertaining!
STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 65%, while they have had seven attempts - three of which have been on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their seven attempts. There have also been four yellow cards following a number of feisty challenges.
BENCH WATCH! As touched upon, we have already had three changes at the Bernabeu. James and Ramos were both forced off for Real Madrid, with Jese and Nacho entering. The likes of Javier Hernandez and new signing Lucas Silva are still in reserve for the hosts. however. Sevilla, meanwhile, replaced Beto with Rico, but they still have options in the shape of Aspas, Suarez and Vidal.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Sevilla respond? They certainly threatened in the first half. It is the visitors that resume the action in Madrid.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. Neither has many left! You just get the feeling that Sevilla need to score the next goal if they are to take something here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Bale drives past Kolo before attempting to beat Rico, but Carrico is on hand to make a fine block. That was super work from Bale, who showed the French defender a clean pair of heels. Bale is so keen to get on the scoresheet here.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments, with both sides committing numbers in the final third. Meanwhile, the attendance has been confirmed at little over 67,000 here - far from full!
POST! Jese comes close to scoring his second of the match as he drives into the Sevilla box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort smashes the post. It was a tight angle for the Spaniard, but he is causing all sorts of problems in the final third of the field.
Another half-chance for the home side, this time for Bale, as the Welshman strikes a loose ball inside the box, but his effort is blocked by Carrico. The resulting corner is delivered towards the near post, but Bacca is on hand to make the clearance. Los Blancos are pushing for a third goal to kill this game.
Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as Navarro brings Arbeloa to the ground...
... SUB! Sevilla make their second change as Vidal replaces Deulofeu.
Bale takes the resulting set piece, but his effort just floats wide of the post.
SAVE! Super save from Rico as the Sevilla goalkeeper denies Isco from close range. Again it was excellent from Isco, who ghosted into the box following strong work from Benzema.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and in truth, not too much is happening at the moment. Sevilla are still well in this match, but are struggling to force the issue in the final third.
Jese remains a threat for the home side as he drives down the left before delivering into the box, but Carrico is on hand to clear the danger. Down the other end, Iborra somehow fired away from goal following an excellent cross from Bacca. Chances at either end with 61 minutes played here.
BOOKING! Marcelo (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Vitolo and as a result, the defender is now suspended for the clash with Atletico this weekend. Big blow for Los Blancos!
Another half-chance for the away side as Vidal finds space down the left, but his cross is poor and Real Madrid have a goal kick. One goal for the visitors would set us up nicely for the final 25 minutes.
Bale has been a little quiet in the second period, but the Welshman bursts to life down the left, before drawing a late challenge from Navarro, who has already been booked. Kroos delivers the resulting free kick, but Varane is edged out inside the box. That could easily have been a penalty - drama here!
Real Madrid try and walk it in following super move, but Benzema cannot convert at the near post. The home side have suddenly burst into life and the supporters are really enjoying the work.
BOOKING! Carrico (Sevilla) is penalised for handball.
SUB! Sevilla make their final change as Aspas replaces Bacca.
Kroos strikes the resulting free kick towards the top corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Right, little over 20 minutes of football remaining and the hosts still lead 2-0 at the Bernabeu.
Decent work from Aspas as the Spaniard pins Arbeloa before delivering a cross, but Nacho is on hand to make the clearance. Even at this stage, one goal for Sevilla would turn the atmosphere in Madrid.
BOOKING! Vitolo (Sevilla) is booked for diving inside the penalty area.
Possession football from the home side as they pass and probe outside the box, but it comes to an end before anything threatening can occur. It has been a frustrating second 45 minutes for the hosts.
Sevilla just cannot get out of their own half at the moment, with the home side really forcing the issue. Marcelo and Arbeloa take it in turns to deliver from wide areas, but Sevilla manage to survive.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and there is still something in this for Sevilla, if they believe. You question whether the away side do believe, however, due to their lack of intent in attack. Real Madrid remain a threat down the other end, but the final ball has been disappointing in the second half.
BOOKING! Vitolo (Sevilla) is booked for a poor challenge on Marcelo.
Benzema bursts into life for the home side as he drives past two defenders before attempting to poke a pass into Bale, but Carrico is on hand to clear. Sevilla are down the other end moments later, but Aspas cannot stretch and meet a flicked header from Iborra. Not really happening at either end here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Iborra as the Sevilla midfielder is first to react inside the box, but the Spaniard cannot generate enough power and his effort does not trouble Casillas.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Sevilla (Aspas)
There's the goal! Sevilla have one back as Aspas converts a low cross from Vitolo. Excellent finish!
It is now very much game on at the Bernabeu! That is 10 goals for the season for Aspas now.
Little over five minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid are still ahead, but they have been far from their best this evening. Is there to be late drama? Sevilla can sense an unlikely point here.
BOOKING! Real Madrid just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Sevilla continue to press, while the hosts have a free kick, with Isco (Real Madrid) getting booked for handball.
Corner Sevilla as the pressure builds...
... Real Madrid manage to clear, but the pressure comes straight back from the visitors.
SUB! Real Madrid make their third change as Illarramendi replaces Isco.
Just the two minutes added on and we are into the first of those in Madrid.
Sevilla threaten with another corner, but Casillas punches clear, before Carrico fires over the crossbar. That should be just about that. Real Madrid are going to win this by the narrowest of margins.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. It was not pretty, but Real Madrid move four points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win over Sevilla. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
