Vinícius Jr. scores as Real Madrid beat Sevilla

Vinícius Júnior gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Sevilla on Sunday, scoring in the 15th minute as Kylian Mbappé returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous match from the start. Reuters reported that Mbappé was involved in the move, controlling the ball before Vinícius finished low past goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. The result kept Madrid second in LaLiga on 83 points, with Barcelona already confirmed as champions. Sevilla remained on 43 points with one league game left. ### How did the goal happen? The decisive move came after 15 minutes at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Reuters said Mbappé controlled the ball with his chest and fed Vinícius inside the area, where the Brazilian finished into the bottom corner. Real Madrid’s own match report described the buildup slightly differently, saying Brahim Díaz delivered the ball into the box before Mbappé’s touch set up Vinícius for the finish. (thestar.com.my) Brahim Díaz and Mbappé were both in Madrid’s starting side, according to the official lineups, alongside Vinícius in attack. Sky Sports listed Mbappé, Vinícius and Brahim among the starters, with Thibaut Courtois in goal and Dani Carvajal captaining the side. ### Why was Mbappé’s return under scrutiny? Kylian Mbappé returned to the lineup after what Reuters called a controversial omission from the starting side in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Real Oviedo. (thestar.com.my) Reuters said the France captain had also missed the previous weekend’s El Clásico defeat by Barcelona with a hamstring injury, then was booed when he came off the bench against Oviedo. (skysports.com) Álvaro Arbeloa rejected suggestions of a deeper rift after the Sevilla match. “I’m very satisfied with all my players and their effort,” Arbeloa said, according to Reuters. He added that both Vinícius and Mbappé had “tried to give their best,” and said Mbappé “did a great job” even though Vinícius got the goal. (thestar.com.my) ### Did Sevilla have chances to equalize? Sevilla created early pressure and nearly found a late equalizer, but Courtois and Madrid’s back line held on. Reuters reported that Sevilla looked the more threatening side at first, while Real Madrid’s match report said Courtois made an early save before Vinícius scored. (thestar.com.my) The closing stages brought Madrid’s clearest defensive interventions. Reuters said Courtois and left back Fran García denied Sevilla late on, while Real Madrid’s report credited Courtois with decisive saves against Akor Adams, Isaac Romero and Kike Salas. (thestar.com.my) ### What else stood out in the match? A disallowed goal denied Mbappé a place on the scoresheet. Reuters said the forward rounded Vlachodimos in the second half but had the effort ruled out for offside. Real Madrid also hit the woodwork later through Franco Mastantuono, according to the club’s report. (thestar.com.my) Dani Carvajal reached a milestone appearance in the win. Real Madrid’s official report said the captain played his 450th match for the club in the penultimate league fixture of the season. Attendance at the Sánchez-Pizjuán was 40,845, according to Sky Sports. ### What does the result leave for both teams? (thestar.com.my) Real Madrid stayed second in the table on 83 points after 37 matches, Reuters reported, with Barcelona already having won the title. Sevilla were 13th on 43 points with one game remaining. Associated Press separately reported that Sevilla avoided relegation despite the defeat. (realmadrid.com) Next weekend brings the final round of LaLiga matches. Reuters said Arbeloa looked ahead to whether Mbappé might have “better luck next weekend,” and both clubs have one league game left to complete the season. (thestar.com.my)