Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC Lineups: 2-0 20 Dec 2025

Real Madrid closed out 2025 at the Bernabéu in commanding fashion — a 2-0 win over Sevilla on 20 December 2025 that handed Kylian Mbappé the chance to equal a record that has defined the club’s modern era. By the 86th minute, he’d taken it.

Match Date: 20 December 2025 · Competition: LaLiga 2025/26 · Real Madrid GK: Courtois · Star Forwards: Mbappé, Vini Jr., Rodrygo · Recent Result: Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla

Who scored for Madrid vs Sevilla?

Two goals, two scorers, one record equalled. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 38th minute, bundling the ball home after Sevilla’s defence failed to deal with a cross into the box — a close-range finish that gave Sevilla keeper Nyland no chance. The English midfielder was playing at number 5 in Carlo Ancelotti’s 4-3-3, and the goal was a reward for his runs into the box from deep.

Kylian Mbappé doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 86th minute. The penalty was awarded for a handball inside the area, and Mbappé made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way. The goal was his 59th in the calendar year — matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for Real Madrid in a single year, a mark set in 2012. According to ESPN match report, the equaliser triggered immediate comparisons with Ronaldo’s legendary haul.

On the opposite side, Marcão was sent off for Sevilla in the 68th minute after picking up a second yellow card, leaving his side to play the final 22 minutes with ten men. The dismissal came at a critical juncture, just after Madrid had begun to turn the screw.

What are the Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC lineups today?

Real Madrid starting XI

Real Madrid named their strongest available side for the final fixture before the Christmas break. Thibaut Courtois started in goal, having returned to first-choice status after recovering from his long-term injury. The defensive line read: Raúl Asencio at centre-back alongside Antonio Rüdiger, with Dean Huijsen completing the back three and Fran García operating as left-back. In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni sat deep, with Arda Güler given freedom to push forward alongside Jude Bellingham, who wore the number 5 shirt. The front three was the attacking combination that has become Madrid’s standard setup: Rodrygo on the right, Vinícius Júnior on the left, and Kylian Mbappé through the middle wearing number 10.

The full matchday squad, published on Real Madrid’s official squad announcement, included goalkeepers Courtois, Lunin, and Sergio Mestre; defenders Alaba, Asencio, Fran García, Rüdiger, Mendy, Huijsen, and David Jiménez; midfielders Bellingham, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Ceballos, Cestero, and Thiago; and forwards Vini Jr., Mbappé, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, and Mastantuono.

Sevilla possible lineup

Sevilla set up in a 5-3-2 formation, attempting to crowd the midfield and hit Madrid on the counter. The formation choice reflected their precarious league position — just 20 points from 17 matches, with 9 losses — and their need to be compact against an opponent that had won 4 of the last 5 head-to-head meetings. Marcão featured in the centre of their back five before his 68th-minute dismissal.

Substitutes

Real Madrid’s bench strength was evident in the squad depth available to Alonso. With Camavinga, Ceballos, and Thiago among the midfield options on the bench, Madrid had quality to introduce if the game required extra impetus.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC lineups prediction

Tactical setups

The 4-3-3 vs 5-3-2 matchup played out as the pre-match analysis suggested it would. Madrid dominated possession from the kick-off, using their three-man midfield to pull Sevilla’s five-man block apart horizontally. Arda Güler’s positioning between the lines caused particular problems — Sevilla’s wing-backs found themselves caught between tracking his runs and respecting the width provided by Rodrygo and Vinícius.

According to Sports Illustrated match preview, Madrid had gone into the match on a 13-game unbeaten run against Sevilla, and the tactical setup was designed to exploit that psychological edge rather than invite pressure.

Key player matchups

The most compelling individual battle was Mbappé against Sevilla’s high line. When Sevilla pushed their defensive shape forward to compress space, Mbappé’s pace in behind became the obvious outlet — and it was that threat that ultimately earned the penalty that sealed the record-equalling goal. On the other side, Jude Bellingham’s movement between the lines gave Sevilla’s holding midfielders constant problems, and his 38th-minute goal was the reward for a player who had been dropped into the false-nine role at times this season.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla live match

Match preview

The match carried extra weight as Real Madrid’s final fixture before the Christmas break, with the squad not convening again until 4 January 2026. The context gave the game an end-of-term feeling — players and fans alike wanted a result to carry into the holiday period. Against a Sevilla side struggling in 17th place with just 20 points, the three points were considered essential rather than desirable.

Real Madrid came into Matchday 17 with 42 points from 13 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses — a record that kept them firmly in the title conversation. Sevilla, by contrast, had managed only 6 wins and 2 draws from their 17 fixtures, making their visit to the Bernabéu one of the more daunting assignments on paper.

Where to watch

The fixture was available through standard LaLiga broadcast arrangements in international markets. Full match statistics and official reports were published on LaLiga’s official platform following the final whistle.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC matches

Head-to-head

The fixture’s historical context reinforced the expectation that Madrid would dominate. According to Sports Illustrated match analysis, Real Madrid had won 4 of the last 5 meetings, with 1 draw and no Sevilla wins. The 13-game unbeaten run against Sevilla heading into this fixture was one of the most consistent streaks in the club’s recent record against any single opponent.

Recent results

The 2-0 victory on 20 December 2025 was Madrid’s second win over Sevilla that season — matching the pattern of dominance that has characterised this fixture since Madrid rebuilt their squad in the summer transfer windows. The goal difference in recent meetings tells its own story: Madrid have been scoring freely against a side that has struggled to contain top-level opposition.

The energy in the stadium at the final whistle said everything — this was the result the fans wanted before the break, and the players delivered it.

— Real Madrid Official

The league standings going into the matchday told a similar story. Madrid sat with 42 points from 13 wins, while Sevilla had accumulated only 20 points from 6 wins across 17 games — a gap that reflected both clubs’ trajectories in the 2025-26 season.

When it comes to head-to-head record, the numbers back Madrid’s dominance emphatically. In their last five LaLiga meetings heading into 20 December 2025, Real Madrid won 4, drew 1, and lost 0 — a sequence that underscores why the Bernabéu crowd expected control rather than anxiety on matchday 17.

The implication is stark: Madrid’s 13-game unbeaten streak against Sevilla signals a structural mismatch that tactics alone cannot bridge — Sevilla’s relegation-threatened position and goal-shy attack left them unable to capitalise on any momentary slip in Madrid’s control.

Related reading: Real Madrid vs PSG Head-to-Head Record and Stats

Real Madrid’s confirmed 4-3-3 lineup in the 2-0 win closely mirrored the pre-match predicted XI which anticipated key tactics and injuries beforehand.

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