Kylian Mbappe equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid in a hard-fought win over Sevilla which kept up the pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Real took the lead seven minutes before the break when Jude Bellingham leaped above Lucien Agoume and glanced a header from a Rodrygo free-kick into the top corner of the net.
Sevilla had opportunities to equalise, although Real’s task was made easier after the break when Marcao was shown a second yellow card for a rash foul on Bellingham.
Mbappe, celebrating his 27th birthday, then converted from the penalty spot in the 86th minute after Rodrygo was clumsily fouled by Juanlu Sanchez to equal Ronaldo’s record from 2013.
