With Vinicius Junior out, Rodrygo scores 2 to lead Real Madrid to win at Sevilla

BARCELONA, Spain — Rodrygo scored twice to present Real Madrid a 2-1 win at Sevilla on Saturday in a Spanish league match that was lacking fellow Brazilian Vinícius Júnior following the worldwide uproar in opposition to the racial abuse he has endured.

Vinícius didn’t journey with the group as a consequence of what coach Carlo Ancelotti stated was a knee harm that additionally saved him from enjoying midweek in opposition to Rayo Vallecano. His absence from the sphere comes amid an enormous uproar that has reached his native Brazil after he was racially abused by followers throughout final weekend’s sport at Valencia.

After the match, Ancelotti stated that what he thought of the “good” environment inside Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium meant that issues could also be altering for the higher, even when Vinícius was not there.

“I did not hear any insults, and this is the right way. We must congratulate the spectators,” Ancelotti stated. “They supported their side and did so correctly. They jeered our players, but that is normal. I hope we can have this type of atmosphere because it is good for soccer. … Last week is over, the atmosphere has changed, and today was a good sign. People are starting to understand what one can and cannot be done in a stadium.”

Ancelotti added that the standing of Vinícius’ knee will decide whether or not he can take part in Madrid’s final sport of the season subsequent weekend: a house sport in opposition to Athletic Bilbao.

RODRYGO STEPS UP

Karim Benzema and ahead Marco Asensio additionally missed the match with an harm.

The 22-year-old Rodrygo did simply high quality all on his personal as the only ahead in Madrid’s beginning lineup together with 5 midfielders.

Rodrygo, who missed a transparent alternative to attain early within the sport, stated he was a bit upset with Ancelotti for changing him with defender Nacho Fernández with 20 minutes to play to assist shield the lead.

“I wanted a hat trick, but the coach said that was enough,” Rodrygo stated.

Ancelotti, when requested about his participant’s need to maintain enjoying, stated: “He wanted to score, I wanted the win. We had different interests. But the team is always most important thing.”

Sevilla coach José Mendilibar, who has turned the group round since his arrival two months in the past, rested a few of his prime gamers like striker Youssef En-Nesyri forward of Wednesday’s Europa League remaining in opposition to AS Roma in Budapest. Sevilla will probably be aiming to win a record-extending seventh Europa League title.

Rafa Mir completed off an preliminary shot by Bryan Gil that had hit a Madrid defender and fell to the striker within the space to present the hosts a third-minute lead.

Rodrygo equalized within the twenty ninth with a free kick that he despatched across the aspect of the defensive barrier and caught goalkeeper Yassine Bounou off guard.

Érik Lamela virtually put Sevilla again in entrance when he hit the submit within the thirty sixth.

Rodrygo scored his second within the 69th after the Brazil ahead acquired a ball from Toni Kroos on a counterattack and used a slick change of foot to glide previous defender Gonzalo Montiel earlier than beating Bounou.

Sevilla’s Marcos Ocuña was despatched off for a direct purple card within the 84th after his studs-first deal with on Dani Ceballos.

The win left Madrid in second place and Sevilla in tenth with one sport left. Barcelona clinched the title three rounds in the past.

The different 9 video games of this penultimate spherical will probably be performed concurrently on Sunday with seven groups concerned within the relegation battle.

PROMOTIONS

Granada and Las Palmas will return to the topflight after ending the second division in first and second place, respectively.

Levante, Alavés, Eibar and Albacete, which completed third-to-sixth, will face a two-round playoff to resolve which one can be promoted.