Real Madrid needed late goals from substitute Lucas Vazquez and Federico Valverde to sink Sevilla 3-1 in LaLiga Santander on Saturday.
After Luka Modric‘s goal was cancelled out by Erik Lamela‘s equaliser after the break, Los Blancos scored twice in two minutes with a little over 10 minute remaining to maintain their unbeaten their lead atop the LaLiga Santander standings.
“In training I have experienced them many times and before this year many of us told him that he has to shoot more in matches,” Courtois said of Valverde‘s shots.
“He hits the ball very hard and if he goes a bit to one side it’s impossible to stop.”
A big mistake from the Sevilla backline allowed Real Madrid to open the scoring after just five minutes.
Gonzalo Montiel lost the ball deep in his own half, allowing Vinicius to skip into the box and evade a challenge before picking out Luka Modric’s run at the back post for a tap in.
EFE
David Alaba sent a curling free-kick just wide of the top corner, while Vinicius‘ shot from the edge was blocked as Real Madrid continued to control proceedings.
Real Madrid should have doubled their advantage just before half-time when Federico Valverde‘s flick for Rodrygo made its way to Vinicius.
Clean through on goal, the Brazilian skipped round Yassine Bounou, but his heavy touch sent the ball out for a goal kick.
After holding on for much of the first half, Sevilla‘s work paid off when they levelled proceedings minutes after the restart.
Montiel played a defence-splitting pass for Lamela, who finished his run by firing past Thibaut Courtois.
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The goal gave Sevilla confidence and they came close to taking the lead soon after, Lamela curling his effort just wide of the mark.
The deciding moment came in the 78th minute when Lucas Vazquez, fresh off the bench, tapped home from close range after some great passing between Vinicius and Marco Asensio.
Real Madrid put the result to bed soon immediately after when Valverde controlled the ball with one touch before smashing home from the edge of the box.