Real Madrid missed the chance to enter the international break top of La Liga after losing 3-2 at Sevilla on Sunday.
Los Blancos needed all three points to return to the summit ahead of Barcelona, but after taking the lead through Sergio Ramos, the visitors conceded three times at the Estadio Ramon.
Ciro Immobile levelled the scores late in the first period, before second-half efforts from Ever Banega and Fernando Llorente saw Unai Emery's side take a 3-1 lead entering the final 15 minutes.
James Rodriguez had one back for the visitors in stoppage time, but the final whistle was blown shortly after as Sevilla secured all the points in Week 11's final fixture in Spain's top flight.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two teams.
Match statistics
SEVILLA
Shots: 14
On target: 5
Possession: 45%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 13
REAL MADRID
Shots: 28
On target: 10
Possession: 55%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 11
Was the result fair?
Sometimes there are games that are difficult to explain, and this was one of them. For the first 30 minutes, Real Madrid were in complete and utter control of the match, with Ramos's opener in no way flattering what was a dominant Los Blancos. Sevilla somehow found a way back into the match late in the first period, however, with their first effort on target indeed finding the back of the net. At that stage of the match, Real Madrid, who could have been two or three goals ahead, should have kicked on such was their early dominance, but it was the home side that started the second period on top.
The game's third goal was always going to be important and when it came for Sevilla, it gave Emery's side something to protect. Real Madrid's shot count - 28 - is extremely high, but the majority of their attempts were from distance. Poor defending contributed to Sevilla's second and third goals and the game was done and dusted when Llorente made it 3-1. James managed to score a second for the visitors late on, but it was too little, too late. It is really difficult to say that either team actually deserved to win it and on balance, a score draw would have perhaps been a better reflection of the contest.
Sevilla's performance
It has been a difficult start to the season for Sevilla, who entered this match in the bottom half of the table and off the back of a 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League. The sensational atmosphere inside the stadium was quietened by Real Madrid's early start, with the visitors so dominant. Cristiano Ronaldo and Nacho both came close to opening the scoring before Ramos found the bottom corner and at that point, Sevilla were wobbling. They looked a team short of ideas and indeed one that could be on the end of a heavy defeat. Something, however, sparked a brilliant revival.
The home side's goalkeeper Sergio Rico made a super save to keep out Gareth Bale in the 32nd minute and four minutes later, Emery's side were level. The goal came from Immobile, who was in from the start due to Kevin Gamiero's absence. It was untidy from Real Madrid, but the Italian was on hand to convert from a tight angle. Benoit Tremoulinas's forward runs were a key feature of Sevilla's performance either side of the half-time whistle and there is no question that the hosts were on top when Banega scored a second just past the hour. The response from the home side was just so impressive.
Real Madrid remained a threat as the second period developed, but in the 74th minute, Rico kept out a thumping Casemiro header and seconds later, Llorente headed a Mariano cross into the back of the net. The stadium was absolutely bouncing at that point and in truth, Real Madrid did not have enough in their legs to respond. James managed to score a second for the visitors late on, but the whistle was blown moments later as Sevilla secured all the points. For 30 minutes, they just were not in the game against a classy Real Madrid, but Sevilla can be proud of their performance for the best part of an hour.
Real Madrid's performance
Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has had his fair share of criticism this season, but his team entered this match unbeaten in all competitions this season. The Spaniard was able to recall fit-again Bale to his XI, while Ramos was also selected despite a shoulder problem. On paper, it looked a very strong team and that was transferred onto the field as Los Blancos played some sensational football in the early moments. They should have taken the lead in the 10th minute, but Ronaldo had a close-range strike blocked for a corner, before Nacho hit the inside of the post with a rasping shot from distance.
The goal came from ex-Sevilla defender Ramos, whose wonderful bicycle-kick found the bottom corner. It was not all good news for the centre-back, however, who was then forced off injured after aggravating his shoulder. The away side's back four seemed to fall apart after that, with Immobile's pace causing problems. Poor defending from Los Blancos allowed Sevilla to level, with Kiko Casilla and Nacho both guilty of allowing the ball to reach Immobile at the far post from a corner.
Toni Kroos had the opportunity to send Real Madrid back into the lead in the 53rd minute, but the German missed the target from just outside the box. Eight minutes later, Sevilla were ahead, with Banega converting from close range after super work from Yevhen Konoplyanka, who caused Danilo problems in the second period. James was thrown on for Real Madrid for the final 30 minutes, but it was Sevilla that scored a third, with Llorente allowed to rise unmarked inside the box to head home. Again it was poor defending from Benitez's side as Raphael Varane and Pepe both took up poor positions.
It is difficult to say that Real Madrid really pushed on after conceding a third, with the majority of their strikes coming from distance. It was a very frustrating evening for Ronaldo, while Bale also struggled after initially making a strong start. There just seemed to be a lack of energy in the second period, but tiredness cannot be an excuse, with Sevilla also playing Champions League football during the week. James did manage to score a second for the visitors late on, but it was too late to find an equaliser. Los Blancos will now enter El Clasico after the international break three points behind Barcelona.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Benoit Tremoulinas: Perhaps a surprise choice, but Sevilla's left-back had a super game in Seville. The Frenchman continually caused Real Madrid problems with his willingness to drive forward and he delivered a number of excellent crosses from a wide position. The 29-year-old also did a very good job of keeping Real Madrid's attack quiet in the second period.
Biggest gaffe
Real Madrid's defence could be picked apart for all three Sevilla goals, but the first was really poor from the away side's point of view. What should have been a relatively easy corner to defend actually brought Sevilla's opener, with Casilla first of all failing to punch clear, before Nacho was guilty of allowing the ball to reach Immobile at the far post. Los Blancos' defence almost seemed to fall apart when their skipper Ramos went off injured in the 32nd minute.
Referee performance
Referee Jose Gonzalez had a very quiet game in Seville - issuing just two yellow cards, both of which were in the first period. The fact that the game was so open and entertaining was partially down to Gonzalez, who allowed the contest to flow in the correct areas. In truth, the official was just not seen for long spells.
What next?
Sevilla: After the international break, Sevilla will travel to struggling Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid: It is El Clasico at the Bernabeu for Los Blancos next time out, with Barcelona, who sit three points clear at the summit, making the trip to the Spanish capital on November 21.
Matt Law
