Mbappé brace fires Real Madrid to 4-1 win over Sevilla ahead of El Clásico

Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid swept aside Sevilla 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday to climb to third in LaLiga, one point behind Atlético Madrid and six behind leaders Barcelona a week before El Clásico. (https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/mbappe-double-helps-real-madrid-sweep-aside-sevilla-ahead-el-clasico-2026-10-18/)

Arda Güler opened the scoring in the 30th minute, arrowing a shot into the top corner from outside the box, and Mbappé doubled the lead seven minutes later after a brilliant turn. (https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/mbappe-double-helps-real-madrid-sweep-aside-sevilla-ahead-el-clasico-2026-10-18/) Mbappé’s second came from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute — a dinked finish that was his ninth league goal of the season. (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/kylian-mbappe-hits-two-as-real-madrid-rout-sevilla-101792374863677.html)

The match carried an early controversy. In the 22nd minute Güler appeared to swing his arm towards Sevilla midfielder Peque away from the ball, and Sevilla players demanded a red card. VAR examined the incident but could not establish the exact point of contact or the force involved from the available camera angles, so no on-field review followed and Güler escaped punishment. (https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/why-arda-guler-escaped-a-red-card-for-alleged-elbow-before-scoring-a-stunner-against-sevilla-1.500715357)

Sevilla pulled one back through substitute Manu Bueno with ten minutes remaining, but Yan Diomande restored the three-goal cushion two minutes later with a thunderous strike from outside the box. (https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/mbappe-double-helps-real-madrid-sweep-aside-sevilla-ahead-el-clasico-2026-10-18/)

After the match, head coach José Mourinho praised his players’ focus, telling AS: “We played well from the start. The players were extremely focused and enthusiastic.” He also hailed Éder Militão’s return from a long injury as an important boost, and said three changes were made “to bring different dynamism and energy after the difficult match in Rome”. (https://news.7msport.com/news/newsdata/20261019/274010.shtml)