Real Madrid: Courtois shines as Los Merengues edge Sevilla

In a hard-fought encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid secured a narrow victory over Sevilla, with Thibaut Courtois emerging as the standout performer. The Belgian goalkeeper was pivotal in the second half, making crucial saves that kept his team in the game when defensive lapses threatened to derail their efforts. His performance underscores just how integral he is to this Madrid side. Without Courtois, one can only wonder what the outcome might have been.

Raúl Asencio, a young talent from Las Palmas, had a relatively quieter evening compared to his defensive counterparts. Replaced in stoppage time, he showed signs of improvement since his last outing against Celta, though he still struggled with the long balls behind the defense. Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen had a challenging match as he faced the intense pressure of playing at home. His shaky start nearly cost the team two goals, and he frequently found himself chasing the game. Antonio Rüdiger also faced difficulties, lacking the necessary speed to cope with Alexis Sanchez’s attacks.

Midfield Dynamics

On the left flank, Fran García delivered a more assured performance than in previous weeks. He was active in both attack and defense before being substituted in the 79th minute. In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni displayed determination and a solid mindset against Sevilla’s pressing game, earning a respectable rating for his efforts. Jude Bellingham was instrumental in creating chances and netting a goal that proved crucial for Madrid’s success. Although he is not yet back to his full form, this match indicates he is on the right path.

Attacking Threats

Rodrygo Goes was undoubtedly the most dangerous player on the pitch, continuing his impressive streak by assisting Bellingham’s goal and winning a penalty for Kylian Mbappé. This resurgence is a positive sign for coach Xabi Alonso as he looks to build momentum. Mbappé himself had a mixed performance; while he scored from the spot to salvage his night, his quest for records sometimes overshadowed his ability to involve teammates effectively.

Vinícius Jr struggled throughout the match, making poor decisions and showing a lack of technical control that left fans frustrated. His substitution was met with jeers from sections of the crowd, highlighting that 2025 has not been kind to him thus far.

Xabi Alonso’s tactical choices were generally sound this time around; however, the match content left some room for improvement. With Marcão’s red card simplifying matters for Madrid late on, Alonso managed to see out the victory but must reflect on how to enhance his team’s overall performance moving forward.

The substitutes Eduardo Camavinga, Gonzalo Garcia, and David Jimenez were brought on late but did not have enough time to make an impact or earn ratings.