Real Madrid fight back through Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior to beat Sevilla

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Vinicius Jr. stars as Real Madrid come back to beat Sevilla

Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema score as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 2-1 and go four points clear at the top of the table.

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:02 am

Goals from Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior saw Real Madrid fight back from a goal down to beat Sevilla 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

Benzema pounced on a mistake from goalkeeper Bono to level in the 33rd minute with his 11th league goal of the season, after Rafa Mir had put the visitors ahead with a 12th minute header.

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Madrid pushed for a winner throughout the second half, and Vinicius eventually found the net in the 87th minute with a viciously struck long-range shot.

The result leaves Madrid as LaLiga leaders, four points clear of Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, to give them the advantage in the LaLiga title race.

Sevilla started well and didn't take long to go ahead as Mir was allowed space and time to guide a free header past Thibaut Courtois.

With Madrid reeling, the forward followed up with two chances in quick succession as David Alaba cleared a shot off the line before Mir was denied again seconds later by Courtois.

Real Madrid fought back from a goal down.
Getty

Lucas Ocampos hit the crossbar with a curling shot before Madrid levelled. Benzema reacted quickest when Militao's speculative effort from distance was fumbled onto the post by Bono.

Referee Jose Sanchez Martinez waved away Sevilla's penalty appeals when Ocampos appeared to be fouled by Alaba, and Marco Asensio fired over the bar before half time. Much of the second half proved frustrating for Madrid, as poor decision-making saw them spurn some promising goalscoring opportunities.

Asensio opted to shoot from distance when he had Benzema alongside him in space, before Vinicius blasted off target rather than passing to the France international.

Alaba volleyed over the crossbar before Vinicius' late goal-of-the-season contender, while Courtois saved Madrid with a point-blank stop in added time.