“It’s the history of this club” – Player ratings as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Sevilla and all but win La Liga title
Real Madrid came from 2-0 down to beat Sevilla 2-3 and extend their lead atop La Liga to 15 points.
Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Sevilla are all well behind Los Blancos (albeit the Blaugrana have two games in-hand) as their latest comeback has all but sealed Madrid’s title win.
“I think it’s the history of this club,” said Carlo Ancelotti after the game when asked about all these combacks. “It’s the quality of these players, the sense of belonging of these players. They fell something special when they dress the shirt.”
“I think it’s nothing new for Real Madrid.”
Here’s how the players rated at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuan:
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Sevilla
Yassine Bounou – 5 – Looked shaky whenever he was tested. Couldn’t produce a big stop when needed.
Jesus Navas – 6 – Massive block to spare Bono’s blushes on the half-hour. Ran hard but too often came up short when he had to deliver with the ball.
Jules Koundé – 7 – Really worked hard to try and keep Madrid at bay but to no avail. Dropped deeper and deeper in the second-half to the point where Benzema was able to stand five yards out unmarked.
Diego Carlos – 7 – Threw his body at everything as his team-mates crumbled around him although as with Koundé he can’t get an 8 because he stood too deep and left Karim Benzema unmarked to take a touch and then score the winner.
Marcos Acuna – 7 – Incredibly bold. Lovely header in he build-up to the second goal. However his risk-taking style saw him subbed off as Sevilla looked to protect their lead.
Joan Jordan – 7 – Held midfield neatly. Seemed to be the only Sevilla player who was trying to play football in the second-half.
Ivan Rakitic – 6 – Cheeky free-kick to give Sevilla the lead and make it 6 goals in 21 games against Madrid. However that was as good as it good for the Croatian who faded badly in the second-half.
Papu Gomez – 7 – A deadly force. Every time he touched the ball it felt like he’d make an incisive pass that would put Los Blancos on the back force. Had to go off injured at half-time and Sevilla looked much the poorer for it.
Erik Lamela – 6 – Lovely finish to double Sevilla’s lead (and a great run off Carvajal to get into position) but did absolutely nothing after.
Tecatito – 6 – A menace from the off, tortured Carvajal and Militao and his run into the heart of the Madrid defence at Eder Militao was key to the second-goal. However as Sevilla looked to hold on, he was subbed off.
Anthony Martial – 5 – His movement provided a useful distraction while he team-mates moved in his wake to do great damage. Hacked down brutally by Camavinga and instead of seeing his compatriot sent off for a second yellow, the on-loan United striker got booked for his protestations before being subbed off with the injury Camavinga gave him!
Sevilla Substitutes:
Rafa Mir (for Martial 41′) – 4 – Absolutely awful. Missed good chances to score and completely failed to hold the ball up.
Oliver Torres (for Gomez 46′) – 4 – Replaced Papu and added nothing. Shocking defending for the Madrid equaliser.
Nemanja Gudelj (for Acuna 60′) – 4 – Didn’t really help.
Ludwig Augustinsson (for Tecatito 60′) – 4 – Horrendous defending on Rodrygo for the game-winner.
Lucas Ocampos (for Lamela 72′) – 5 – Tried in vain to drive Sevilla forward but none of his team-mates were on his wavelength.
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Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois – 5 – Left helpless by his defence in the first-half and basically not tested at all second-half.
Lucas Vázquez – 7 – Humbled by Tecatito over and over in the first-half but recovered after the break. Ferocious in the tackle.
Eder Militao – 4 – Shattered the Madrid wall, allowing Rakitic’s free-kick in and then got bossed by Tecatito which lead to the second goal. Not the best of starts for the Brazilian but he had a better time of things once Rafa Mir came on, but those two goals were still on him.
David Alaba – 7 – Very solid again. Just gets on with it.
Dani Carvajal – 8 – Lost Lamela for the second goal and had a poor first-half in general, but turned it around and dominated the second-half quite spectacularly. First he produced a wonderful little assist for Rodrygo’s goal despite playing left-back, and then again set-up a supersub, this time late in the day with a really impressive bit of work back on the right to set-up Nacho’s equaliser. Monstrous performance from a player who is so often the tone setter for Real Madrid.
Eduardo Camavinga – 4 – Completely out of his depth in midfield. Lost track of Sevilla runners and couldn’t shield his back-line. Picked up a yellow card and was very lucky to avoid a second yellow on 39 minutes after a cynical foul on Martial.
Luka Modric – 6 – In typical Modric fashion he got dominated for 45 minutes by Ivan Rakitic but then came alive and dominated the start of the second-half. Pushed Madrid back into running the game to the point where him going off didn’t impact their stride.
Toni Kroos – 7 – Pinged the ball around with supreme confidence as always.
Fede Valverde – 7 – Los Blancos’ workhorse was at it again. Ran all day.
Vini Jr. – 6 – Not his brightest night but still managed to score a sensational strike that was controvesrsially ruled out for handball. His flick in the build-up to Benzema’s game-winner was delicious.
Karim Benzema – 7 – Surprisingly quiet for 90 minutes so then, naturally, he won the game in the 92nd minute with a lethal title-winning finish, albeit Sevilla gave him all the time in the world to set himself. It feels so appropriate for the best player in La Liga to have scored the goal that all but decides La Liga. Surely the best player in the world.
Karim Benzema's last 10 games:
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️⚽️
Karim the dream. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/8ATtApreOG
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 17, 2022
Real Madrid Substitutes:
Rodrygo (for Camavinga 46′) – 8 – Instant impact yet again for the young Brazilian as he scored a superb shot to get Real Madrid back into the game, pressed like a maniac, carried the ball with authority and then showed great composure to set-up the game-winner for Benzema. He’s turning into a real game-winning genius.
Marco Asensio (for Modric 81′) – 6 – Was decent.
Nacho (for Vazquez 81′) – 7 – Scored a sensational equaliser with his first touch after coming on. Defended well after that.
Mariano (for Benzema 90’+5) – 6 – Almost scored himself despite barely being on the pitch.
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