Real Madrid handled their business at home, beating Sevilla 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, December 20, 2025. It was Matchday 17 in LaLiga, and this was the kind of steady, grown-up win that keeps a title chase on track. The game kicked off at 20:00 UTC, and from the very first minute, Madrid made their intent clear. A foul by Lucien Agoumé on Dean Huijsen inside the opening minute set the tone: Madrid would set the pace, Sevilla would have to react.

This wasn’t a wild shootout. It was controlled, measured, and professional. Two goals, no reply, and a clean sheet in front of a packed home crowd. For a team that started the day in second place with 39 points (12-3-2), every little edge matters. And against a Sevilla side with 20 points from 16 games, Madrid found all the right notes.

Madrid’s statement win at the Bernabéu

When a title race is tight, you need days like this. You need to win when everyone expects you to, avoid drama, and keep pressure on the leaders. Real Madrid did exactly that. The Bernabéu crowd saw a patient home side move the ball, squeeze space, and pick the right moments to strike. The 2-0 scoreline tells a simple story: Madrid were better for longer and rarely let Sevilla breathe.

It helps that the team’s spine looks sure. From the opening whistle, Madrid won the key duels. That early foul on Huijsen was a small snapshot: the hosts were first to the ball, first to the 50-50s, and first to every second ball. You could sense Sevilla’s plan to keep it tight, but once Madrid got on top, the visitors were mostly holding on.

“This is how you win titles: two goals, no fuss, and no door left open.”

LaLiga title race: Real Madrid keep pace with Barcelona

Barcelona began the weekend on 43 points. Real Madrid’s 39-point start meant no room for slip-ups. There were no fireworks here, only the steady drum of a team who knows that the table in December does not hand out trophies — but it does build habits and belief. Winning without giving away cheap chances is one of those habits.

With this victory, Madrid keep the heat on the leaders. They also remind the rest of the league that the Bernabéu remains a tough place to visit. As the festive fixtures arrive, the priority is simple: stack wins, hold your nerve, and make the rival blink first.

Key moments and game control

Football often turns on little details. In the first minute, Dean Huijsen won a free kick after being fouled by Lucien Agoumé. It was a sign of things to come: Madrid stepping in, Sevilla stepping back. From there, the hosts managed tempo and territory. They kept Sevilla’s shape pinned and forced the visitors to run without the ball.

What stood out was Madrid’s balance. They were calm with possession and sharp in transition when chances opened. They did not overcommit, and they did not panic. The result was two unanswered goals and a clean sheet built on organization as much as flair.

“Control first, goals second. Madrid managed both — and made Sevilla chase shadows.”

Stars on show: Mbappé, Vinícius, and Rodrygo set the tone

Real Madrid’s attack is packed with star power. Names like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo naturally draw the spotlight. Even without going into the stats of who scored, their presence matters. Defenders drop deeper, full-backs think twice, and markers hesitate. That gravity changes games.

What Madrid also showed was variety. They can hit you with speed, they can build through short passes, and they can lean on set pieces when needed. Against Sevilla, the blend worked. The result was comfort on the ball and constant questions for the visitors’ back line.

The numbers behind the night

Before kick-off, Madrid’s record read 12 wins, three draws, and two losses. That put them on 39 points, second in the table. The season goal difference was listed at +18 over 17 games — a sign of both attacking touch and defensive strength. This 2-0 result fits that profile perfectly: efficient up front, secure at the back.

Sevilla entered with a 6-2-8 record across 16 games and a goal difference of 0. That tells the story of a team stuck in the middle, able to fight but struggling to put runs together. At the Bernabéu, they needed a near-perfect day. Madrid didn’t play perfect, but they were clear and clean in the big moments, which was enough to take all three points.

“Sevilla can compete, but Madrid’s margin for error is bigger — and it showed.”

What this means for Sevilla

For Sevilla, there are lessons here. Their even goal difference suggests they can keep games tight. But keeping games tight away to Madrid is different from doing it at home to mid-table rivals. The next step is turning shape and effort into points, especially on the road.

They sat on 20 points before this match. That’s not panic territory, but it does not leave much comfort either. A few strong results can lift them clear and into the top half. The key is to find a sharper edge in both boxes: one more good chance created, one more dangerous ball cleared.

Focus and calm in a busy month

December and early January can make or break a season. Games come fast. Squads are tested. The best teams find ways to win even when the rhythm is not perfect. This was that kind of win for Madrid. The crowd will love the score, but the staff will love the control even more.

Madrid showed the traits of a contender: clean work, steady heads, and patience. There will be tougher tests, but a night like this builds trust inside the group. You can play your level, not the occasion, and still take care of business.

Bottom line

Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla is not a headline that will shock anyone, but it is the type of result that can decide a title race in the long run. The home side kept their standards high, resisted any panic, and earned a straightforward win on Matchday 17. With Barcelona ahead and the table tight, Madrid did what they had to do: win now, ask questions of everyone else later.

Sometimes, the best message is the quiet one. Two goals. No goals allowed. Move on.