Real Madrid were presented with a golden chance Wednesday to overtake rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Instead, they crumbled.
After La Blaugrana's stunning 2-1 loss at bottom side Leganes earlier in the day, Julen Lopetegui's men just had to avoid defeat to move to the summit.
Instead, they were put to the sword by an impressive Sevilla, as a quickfire first-half brace from Andre Silva and Wissam Ben Yedder's strike sealed a 3-0 win for the Andalusian outfit. Luka Modric saw a second-half goal disallowed after a VAR review but, in truth, his side never looked to be mounting a comeback.
Sevilla are becoming something of a nemesis for Real. Spain's most successful club have now lost their league game at Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium four years in a row.
The defeat means Barcelona hang onto the division's top spot. However, after they and Real lost in La Liga on the same day for the first time since Jan. 4 2015, the day's real winners in Spain are Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone's men are now just two points behind their two title rivals.
Los Merengues had 21 shots but looked a shadow of their usual selves. Well beaten, this was their first league loss under Lopetegui, and their biggest since the 3-0 El Clasico reverse on Dec. 23.
