Mbappe double as Mourinho's Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1 before the Clasico at Camp Nou

Real Madrid warmed up for next weekend's Clasico with a convincing 4-1 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, Arda Guler opened the scoring and summer signing Yan Diomande added a fine fourth, as Jose Mourinho's side kept pace in La Liga with leaders Barcelona.

Guler and Mbappe take control

Madrid were without Vinicius Junior, who was suspended after being sent off the previous weekend, so Diomande started on the left. He made an immediate impact. On the half-hour, he found Guler on the edge of the area and the Turkish playmaker struck the ball into the top corner.

Seven minutes later it was 2-0. Jude Bellingham played the ball into Mbappe with a backheel, and the France captain spun into the penalty area and finished past Odysseas Vlachodimos. Madrid went in at half-time two goals clear.

The first half was not without controversy. Guler appeared to catch Sevilla's Peque Fernandez with an elbow during a tussle, but referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer and the VAR took no action. Dean Huijsen and Sevilla captain Felix Correia were booked in the scuffle that followed.

Panenka penalty and a late flourish

Madrid extended their lead just after the hour. Andres Castrin was penalised for a reckless challenge in the box, and Mbappe stepped up to chip his penalty down the middle for his second of the night.

Sevilla, coached by Luis Garcia Plaza, did not give up. Thibaut Courtois made important saves from Lucien Agoume and Youssouf Fofana, and in the closing stages Manu Bueno, set up by Lucas Stassin, pulled a goal back. Madrid answered almost immediately: Diomande let fly from outside the box to make it 4-1. It was his second goal since joining from RB Leipzig in the summer.

There was further good news for Mourinho late on, as Eder Militao returned from a hamstring injury as a substitute for Federico Valverde. The win was Madrid's eighth in a row in the league at the Bernabeu.

The table and the Clasico

The result keeps Madrid third, six points behind Barcelona, who beat Real Betis 5-2 on Saturday. Atletico Madrid are second. Madrid's last league outing before this was a 1-0 win over Villarreal on 10 October.

The two giants meet at Camp Nou next weekend, and Madrid will again be without Vinicius, whose suspension rules him out of the Clasico. That gives Diomande, on this evidence, a strong case to keep his place.

Champions League first

Before that, Madrid return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they host RB Leipzig, who were thrashed 6-1 by Bayern Munich at the weekend. Madrid have won both of their league-phase games so far, beating Inter 2-1 at home and edging Roma 4-3 away. The match kicks off at 9pm in Madrid, which is 3am on Thursday in Malaysia.

Key takeaways

• Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1 with goals from Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe (2) and Yan Diomande.
• Mbappe's second goal was a chipped penalty; Manu Bueno scored Sevilla's late consolation.
• Guler escaped punishment for an apparent elbow on Peque Fernandez in the first half.
• Madrid are third in La Liga, six points behind leaders Barcelona, with the Clasico at Camp Nou next weekend.
• Vinicius Junior is suspended for the Clasico; Madrid host RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

FAQ

Who scored in Real Madrid 4-1 Sevilla? Arda Guler opened the scoring, Kylian Mbappe added two including a penalty, and Yan Diomande got the fourth. Manu Bueno scored for Sevilla.

Will Vinicius Junior play in the Clasico? No. Vinicius was sent off the previous weekend and is suspended for the match against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

What time is Real Madrid v RB Leipzig in Malaysia? The Champions League match on Wednesday 21 October kicks off at 9pm Madrid time, which is 3am on Thursday 22 October in Malaysia.

Sources: VAVEL, beIN Sports, 101 Great Goals, Sports Mole, UEFA