Luka Modric scored only his second goal in La Liga this season
Luka Modric rolled back the years with a sublime late winner against Sevilla as Real Madrid moved eight points clear at the top of La Liga.
With England midfielder Jude Bellingham absent for Real for a third consecutive game, the contest looked to be heading towards a goalless draw.
However, Croatia midfielder Modric, 38, curled in seven minutes after his introduction as a substitute.
Modric has started in just 11 of his 21 La Liga appearances this season.
The former Ballon d’Or winner is out of contract in June and Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said he would understand if the Croatian was upset about his lack of playing time.
“He shows everyone how hard it is for me to leave him on the bench,” Ancelotti said.
“Not just for the goal he scored, but how he trains. He is an example to the whole squad. It’s very complicated to leave him on the bench.”
Ancelotti said Modric’s contract situation was also “complicated”, adding: “It’s hard to manage. I was once a player and went through it in my last year as a professional player.
“I would understand if Modric was a little bit upset if he is not playing. Everyone thinks he is at the end of his career, but I think he doesn’t agree with that. He looks to be well, fresh. He’s got legs. He doesn’t seem like he is 38.”
Lucas Vazquez had a goal disallowed for the hosts before Modric struck decisively.
The Real full-back’s effort was chalked off when a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) review concluded that home defender Nacho had fouled forward Youssef En-Nesyri in the build-up.
Federico Valverde also went close for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, hitting the post early in the second half, although in the main a Sevilla defence that was well marshalled by former Real great Sergio Ramos stood firm.
Second-placed Barcelona are on 57 points, with Girona a point further back in third. Girona play their game in hand on the top two against Rayo Vallecano on Monday (20:00 GMT).
Line-ups
Real Madrid
Formation 4-3-3
13I’m snowing
17Vázquez22Rüdiger6Nacho23Mendy
15Valverde18Tchouaméni8Kroos
21DÃaz11Rodrygo7VinÃcius Júnior
13Lunin17Vázquez22Rüdiger6NachoSubstituted forModricat 75’minutes23Mendy15Valverde18Tchouaméni8KroosBooked at 35mins21DÃazSubstituted forCeballosat 90’minutes11RodrygoSubstituted forRodrÃguezat 90+4’minutes7VinÃcius JúniorSubstitutes10Modric19Ceballos20Garc Ãa24Gü¼ler25Arrizabalaga Revuelta26Piñeiro29RodrÃguez41Ramón
Sevilla
Formation 5-3-2
13Nyland
16Navas22Badé4Ramos2Salas5Ocampos
21Torres24Soumaré18Sow
15 En-Nesyri 20 Romero
13Nyland16NavasSubstituted forSánchezat 75’minutes22Badé4Ramos2SalasSubstituted forNianzouat 90+1’minutesBooked at 90mins5OcamposBooked at 70minsSubstituted forJanuzajat 90+1’minutes21TorresSubstituted forFernández Sáenz de la Torreat 75’minutes24Soumaré18SowBooked at 90mins15En-Nesyri20RomeroSubstituted forVélizat 75’minutesSubstitutes1Dmitrovic3Pedrosa7Fernández Sáenz de la Torre10Véliz14Nianzou25Januzaj26Sánchez31Flores35Sintes41Idumbo Muzambo46Mejbri
Referee:Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos
Attendance:74,969
Live Text
Match ends, Real Madrid 1, Sevilla 0.
Second Half ends, Real Madrid 1, Sevilla 0.
Djibril Sow (Sevilla) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Djibril Sow (Sevilla).
Foul by Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).
Boubakary Soumaré (Sevilla) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Federico Valverde (Real Madrid).
Boubakary Soumaré (Sevilla) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Real Madrid. Ãlvaro RodrÃguez replaces Rodrygo.
Foul by Luka Modric (Real Madrid).
Alejo Véliz (Sevilla) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Tanguy Nianzou (Sevilla) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Tanguy Nianzou (Sevilla).
Substitution, Seville. Tanguy Nianzou replaces Kike Salas.
Substitution, Sevilla. Adnan Januzaj replaces Lucas Ocampos.
VinÃcius Júnior (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Juanlu Sanchez (Sevilla).
Attempt missed. Kike Salas (Sevilla) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Suso with a cross following a corner.