Five star Real run riot against Sevilla

The two sides went into the game joint on points, but they looked a class apart throughout at the Bernabeu.

Real went on the attack from kick-off and within three minutes, they had the lead. Toni Kroos swung in a corner from the right and Luis Muriel inexplicably headed the ball towards his own goal at the far post instead of clearing, allowing Nacho to take a touch and fire past Sergio Rico from close range.

Sevilla actually reacted reasonably well to the early setback, enjoying a spell of possession and a handful of efforts from range. However, when that possession failed to yield any real chances, Real were quick to punish the Andalusians.

At the mid-way point in the first half, Marco Asensio was given far too much time to pick out a pass for Ronaldo, who had darted inside Sevilla left-back Lionel Carole. That ball set Ronaldo away and he duly rolled low past Rico to double Real’s lead.

The Portuguese wasn’t made to wait long for his second of the day either as just eight minutes later, Jesus Navas handled as Marcelo attempted to bring a high ball under his spell and Real were awarded a penalty.

Naturally, Ronaldo took responsibility and whilst his spot kick wasn’t the best, it was good enough to squeeze under Rico and into the corner to double his tally.

Sevilla looked shellshocked at this point and could barely lay a glove on Real.

Any hope of a Liverpool-esque turnaround was removed just before half-time as Real showed the ruthless streak that has often deserted them so far this season.

First, Toni Kroos showed a side of his game that we don’t often see as he burst forward from midfield and exchanged passes with Lucas Vazquez before stroking the ball home first time form the edge of the box, before Achraf Hakimi showed great pace to fly past Karim Benzema on the overlap down the right, before gathering himself to fire the ball across Rico and into the far corner from the angle after being played in by the Frenchman.

That meant that Real went in at the break with an unassailable five-goal lead and they never looked like surrendering that advantage in the second half.

Nolito and Muriel both saw tame efforts kept out by Keylor Navas, before Real went close to extending their lead.

After a period of possession football, Real sprang into life. The ball was worked out to Marcelo on the left and his cross from deep was perfect for Benzema, but the Frenchman’s header crashed against the far post and back into play.

That was the closest either side got to a goal in the second period as a series of substitutions served only to disrupt the flow of the game, but in truth that was probably kind on the visitors, who were sent home firmly with their tail between their legs.

The win moves Real to within five points of league leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona ahead of their game against Villarreal on Sunday.