La Liga: Mbappe shines in Real Madrid’s 4-2 victory over Sevilla

Kylian Mbappe delivered a stellar performance, scoring a sensational goal and providing an assist as Real Madrid secured a commanding 4-2 win over Sevilla on Saturday.

The victory propelled Los Blancos to second place in La Liga, overtaking Barcelona, who stumbled earlier in the day.

Atletico Madrid’s win over Barcelona earlier ensured Diego Simeone’s men would sit atop the table at Christmas. Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid capitalized on their rivals’ slip, now trailing the leaders by just one point.

Mbappe, whose transition from Paris Saint-Germain appears complete, showcased his brilliance with his 14th goal of the season.

Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, praised the forward, emphasizing that his adaptation period is over, and the Frenchman lived up to those expectations with a commanding display.

Fede Valverde added a stunning long-range goal, while Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz also found the net, ensuring a dominant showing for the hosts.

Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukebakio scored for Sevilla, although they were thoroughly outplayed on veteran defender Jesus Navas’ final game for the club.

Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 10th minute as Madrid brought the ball out from the back and worked it to Rodrygo on the left flank.

The Brazilian squared to Mbappe on the edge of the area, who took one touch to control, another to set himself and with his third, smashed a fierce effort past the helpless Alvaro Fernandez.

Madrid’s second, 10 minutes later, was even better, with Valverde firing a screamer into the top corner from over 30 yards out after a short corner routine.

Ancelotti’s side were in full flow, and the third followed in the 34th minute when Lucas Vazquez crossed for Rodrygo, who finished with aplomb.

Sevilla hit back within a minute, with Romero nodding home from Juanlu Sanchez’s cross after good work by Dodi Lukebakio.

Sevilla came out strongly in the second half, and Romero should have added a second but fired straight at Thibaut Courtois when well placed.

Instead it was Madrid who stretched their lead, with Mbappe dinking a superb pass through for Diaz to finish clinically.

Sevilla brought on Navas after the hour mark and he was applauded by the Santiago Bernabeu, with this his 705th and final appearance for the club, far more than any other player.

Madrid and Sevilla players together gave the retiring Spanish great — a World Cup winner in 2010 and two-time Euros champion—a guard of honour at the start of the game.

Navas, 39, won four Europa Leagues and two Copa del Rey trophies with Sevilla, but his final appearance ended in disappointment for the Andalusians, who were outplayed in the Spanish capital.

Fernandez saved from Rodrygo after Mbappe rounded the goalkeeper and passed the ball back to his Brazilian strike partner as Madrid looked for a fifth.

Lukebakio pulled one back late on for Sevilla as Madrid were able to finish an impressive year, in which they became Spanish and European champions, with a good result.