Mbappe on target as Real Madrid end year in second

MADRID (AP):

Kylian Mbappe added to his scoring streak with a superb strike 10 minutes into a Spanish League match as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-2 yesterday to finish the year one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

It was the last game for Sevilla and Spain great Jesús Navas, who is officially retiring at the end of the year. The defender was honoured by Sevilla and Madrid players and fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Mbappe sent a right-footed shot into the upper corner for his fourth goal in as many matches with Madrid in all competitions. It was Mbappe’s sixth goal in his last eight games with Madrid.

Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, and Brahim Díaz also scored in the comfortable home victory.

Atletico rallied to shock Barcelona 2-1 Saturday with a stoppage-time goal by Alexander Sorloth. Third-place Barcelona is two points behind Madrid, having played an extra game.

Valverde scored in the 20th and Rodrygo in the 34th before Sevilla got on the board with Isaac Romero in the 35th. Díaz extended Madrid’s lead in the 53rd and Dodi Lukebakio got the visitors’ other goal in the 85th at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

“It was a well-played game, with many scoring situations, a good end to the year,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “That was what we wanted, to be near the top and get some good rest for 2025.”

Madrid next face Valencia on January 3 in a match postponed because of the deadly floods that hit Valencia in October.

Sevilla, sitting in 14th place, had won two of their last two games in all competitions.

NAVA’S FAREWELL

Players from both teams made a guard of honour for Navas before the match, lining up as he entered the field, and Madrid’s veteran midfielder Luka Modric handed him a jersey of the club signed by players. Fans gave Navas a standing ovation during the ceremony.

Substitute Navas came on midway through the second half.

“What happened today was spectacular,” the 39-year-old Navas said after the match, unable to hold back tears. “I had never seen anything like it in my life on a rival field. It was crazy. In those last few minutes I couldn’t see anything. I was looking at the ground recalling all the moments I’ve went through and the joy I’ve been able to give to Sevilla and the national team.”

Navas helped Sevilla win four Europa League titles and Spain clinch the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 and 2024 European Championships. He was with Manchester City when they won the 2014 Premier League.

“Navas really deserves it,” Ancelotti said. “Navas is an example for everyone.”