Sports Desk, Feb 26 (EFE).- Luka Modric came off the bench to score a late winner as Real Madrid overcame Sevilla 1-0 at Santiago Bernabeu in the Spanish LaLiga on Sunday, edging close to the title.
In a game that got off to a slow start, Real could have won by a bigger margin if they were not denied by VAR and Sevilla’s Norwegian goalkeeper, Orjan Nyland, who made some outstanding saves.
Lucas Vazquez thought he had an early opener from a pass by Vinicius Junior, but the goal was ruled out after the video assistant referee judged Nacho had fouled Youssef En-Nesyri during the build-up.
Real also had a penalty appeal turned down by the referee before Federico Valverde’s powerful long-range shot in stoppage time of the first half was parried by Nyland.
Valverde’s shot from a cross from Brahim Diaz hit the post soon after the restart.
It was the turn of Real keeper Andriy Lunin to react four minutes later to keep out Isaac Romero’s shot in the six-yard box.
Nyland denied Vinicius shortly but could do little to stop a vintage Modric after he had replaced Nacho to give Real’s attack an extra flair.
In the 80th minute, the Croatian veteran picked up the ball outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot with his right foot past Neyland to remind Real of his worth, ensuring the full three points for the Madrid side.
“We showed that we kept going until the end and that we never gave up. We’ve shown it many times before, it’s the Real Madrid genes,” said Modric, who, at the age of 39, might leave the club next season.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said Modric had earned the right to make his own decision.
“What he decides to do in the future is in his own hands and we just have to wait for his decision. I understand what he may think when he’s not playing,” he said.
Unbeaten now in 13 games in the league, Real tightened their grip on the table with 65 points, going eight clear of second-placed Barcelona, who beat Getafe 4-0 on Saturday.
Girona, with 57 points, can close the gap should they beat Ray Vallecano on Monday.
Real Betis picked up an important 3-1 win over Athletic Club while relegation-threatened Almeria held Atletico Madrid 2-2 in other important games over the weekend. EFE
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