Luka Modric showcased his timeless brilliance with a magnificent late decider against Sevilla, propelling Real Madrid to an eight-point lead at the summit of La Liga.
Jude Bellingham, the English midfielder, was notably absent for Real in his third consecutive game, setting the stage for a potential goalless draw.
However, the 38-year-old Croatian maestro, Modric, entered the fray as a substitute and, seven minutes later, unleashed a masterful curled shot that found the back of the net.
Before Modric’s heroics, Lucas Vazquez had a goal disallowed for the hosts following an extensive Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review that determined a foul by home defender Nacho on forward Youssef En-Nesyri during the buildup.
Despite Federico Valverde’s close attempt, hitting the post early in the second half, Sevilla’s defense, led by former Real stalwart Sergio Ramos, held resilient for the majority of the contest.