Real Madrid 2-1 Sevilla: Late double Lucas Vazquez and Federico Valverde claim the points for hosts

Last week, Toni Kroos called him ‘in the top three in the world’ and Fede Valverde reminded everyone why, with a sensational strike from distance that saw Real Madrid win 3-1 over Sevilla.

The Fede Express again delivered in time with eight minutes to go to send an unstoppable shot past Sevilla keeper Bono, eventually killing the defiant Sevilla. He stumbled away at the end after colliding with Papu Gomez, but that was the only bad news one night when Madrid overcame a mini comeback from Sevilla and secured another impressive win.

They showed off the family treasure before kick-off with Thibaut Courtois handing over his recently won Yashin trophy from Iker Casillas, and Zinedine Zidane also in the pouring rain to hand Karim Benzema his Ballon d’Or.

Benzema followed Zidane and Casillas back under cover to watch the match – a muscle problem meant the attacker was not at risk.

Madrid were five minutes ahead as the electric Vinicius broke the left flank into the area before slipping a pass through an overcrowded six-yard box to Luka Modric, who scored from close range.

Ferenc Puskas once scored for Madrid aged 38 years and 233 days, and Alfredo di Stefano succeeded at 37 years and 255 days – Modric had become the club’s third oldest goalscorer, just 43 days after his 37th birthday.

Luka Modric scored in the 5th minute of the game, his second in LaLiga this season

Madrid were in control for the rest of the first half and Sevilla didn’t really cause any problems for Courtois, but things changed after the break.

In the 55th minute, Sevilla were level and it was two touches to the outside of the foot that brought the goal. First, Gonzalo Montiel played an outside pass that split the Madrid defense and Eric Lamela ran for it, sending his shot from the tightest corners and with the outside of his left foot past Courtois.

Isco volleyed into the side net after Jesus Navas came in from the right, while Sevilla looked to build on the equaliser. Lamela then curled a shot wide. Madrid was rocking their heels because they were in control.

Erik Lamela scored a great equalizer for Sevilla when he pressed the ball in from a tight corner

Lucas Vazquez restored Madrid’s lead against Sevilla in the 79th minute of the match

The problem with trying to beat Madrid is that you beat the team on the field and then you have to beat the bench. In the 77th minute Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez replaced Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal and two minutes later they scored together.

Vinicius’s selflessness was also key. Asensio made the pass to the Brazilian and he could have finished himself, but instead sent the ball to Lucas, who scored to make it 2-1.

And another two minutes later, it was like a game over when Valverde, without prayer, sent Bono flying into the Sevilla goal.

Madrid was shaken up and they sprang into action, shifting gears to grab all three points and extend their lead at the top. The only dark cloud for Madrid – apart from those who had soaked the field before kick-off – was the sight of stumbling at the final whistle – he is the last man they, and Uruguay, have to lose right now.

Federico Valverde took the win when he scored the squad’s third in the 81st minute