Madrid, Spain — 20 December 2025
On a crisp Saturday evening at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid closed out 2025 with a 2‑0 victory over Sevilla, combining resilience with moments of individual quality to grab all three points in LaLiga’s Jornada 17. The 72,000‑plus crowd witnessed a match that balanced tactical discipline with drama, fueled by a superb header from Jude Bellingham and a late penalty from Kylian Mbappé — the latter marking a historic personal milestone.
First Half: Bellingham Breaks the Deadlock
The opening 45 minutes were competitive and balanced. Madrid dominated possession (about 53%) but had to work patiently against a well‑organized Sevilla defence. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Jude Bellingham rose highest from a Rodrygo delivery to power home a header — a goal born from intelligent movement and aerial grace.
Madrid’s forward play generated 18 total shots, with 8 on target, showing consistent probing pressure, while Sevilla tested Real’s rearguard with 14 attempts and 5 shots on goal of their own.
Second Half: Red Card Shifts Momentum
Sevilla’s game plan took a blow early in the second period. Midfielder Marcão received a second yellow card around the hour mark, reducing the visitors to 10 men and forcing tactical recalibration. Sevilla’s resilience stuck around, though, as Real Madrid found it difficult to expand the lead against tenacious defending.
But Madrid’s persistence was rewarded in the 86th minute when a penalty was awarded and Kylian Mbappé coolly converted, sending the Bernabéu into celebration. His goal was not just the match‑winner — it also saw him equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record of 59 goals in a calendar year, a milestone that sparked cheers across the stadium.
Tactical Dynamics:
From a tactical standpoint, Xabi Alonso’s side controlled the match without ever quite dominating — patient build‑up play, judicious switching of play, and effective set‑pieces were keys, while Sevilla’s shape and work rate limited easy openings until their numerical disadvantage began to tell.
Statistical Snapshot
| Category | Real Madrid | Sevilla |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 2 | 0 |
| Possession | ~53% | ~47% |
| Shots | 18 | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 5 |
| Corners | 6 | 5 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
This tactical balance — combined with moments of individual brilliance — defined the match and offered photographers like you a rich palette of scenes: intense midfield battles, crowd reactions to key moments, and the emotional celebration after that record‑equalling strike.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Real Madrid heads into the winter break on a strong note, sustaining pressure on league leaders and finishing the calendar year with momentum. Sevilla, meanwhile, showed grit but will rue the missed opportunities and the red card that shifted the match dynamics.