Madrid finished the year with a win. More challenges await in 2026.
Real Madrid finished the calendar year of 2025 with a 2-0 win over Sevilla at the Bernabeu, making it three wins in a row. However, the tension left in the air regarding the team’s performances and Xabi Alonso’s future is likely to be carried into the new year.
Sevilla edged the expected threat battle early, registering 1.51 xT to Real Madrid’s 0.81 through the first 15 minutes. The visitors looked compact and willing to press. By the half-hour mark, the hosts had pushed their cumulative xT to 2.81 against Sevilla’s 1.71. Real Madrid’s final third touches climbed to 40 while Sevilla managed 30.
By the 60th minute, Madrid’s cumulative xT had risen to 4.70 against Sevilla’s 3.51. The hosts registered 83 final third touches to the visitors’ 66. From minute 75 to 90, Madrid’s xT moved from 5.05 to 5.51 while Sevilla pushed theirs from 4.26 to 5.36. Sevilla added 1.10 xT in that span compared to Madrid’s 0.46. The final third touch count finished 150 to 101 in Madrid’s favor.
The sequence data from the opening 45 shows Madrid generated eight attacking sequences in the first half, five of them short and direct, three moderate in length. Zero patient buildups. Sevilla mustered just three sequences total, two short and one moderate.
Rodrygo led all players in xT gain with 1.649, delivered six key passes, made nine ball recoveries, and registered 30 touches in the final third. He completed 77.8% of his long balls while contributing defensively throughout.
Dean Huijsen topped the touch count with 104 and led all players in progressive passes with 17. His passing accuracy sat at 90.9%, and he made three ball recoveries while carrying the ball forward three times progressively.
Vinicius Junior led the match in progressive carries with 11, completed five take-ons, and contributed two key passes alongside 27 touches in the final third. His xT gain of 0.864 ranked fifth overall.
Jude Bellingham completed 92.9% of his passes and 100% of his long balls. He made six progressive passes, delivered three key passes, and registered 66 touches with 18 in the final third. Aurelien Tchouameni registered 78 touches, eight progressive passes, four progressive carries, and five ball recoveries.
For Sevilla, Gabriel Suazo recorded an xT gain of 1.340, second in the match, while maintaining 90.6% passing accuracy and 13 touches in the final third. Lucien Agoume made 60 touches and seven progressive passes with three ball recoveries.
Madrid registered 357 touches in the opponent’s half compared to Sevilla’s 202. Madrid completed 271 passes in the opponent’s half at 89.1% accuracy. Sevilla managed 158 at 86.7%.
Madrid made 17 carries into the final third, more than double Sevilla’s eight. Pass reception data showed 241 receptions in the opponent’s half for Madrid versus 145 for Sevilla. Sevilla recorded 258 receptions in their own half compared to Madrid’s 225.
Real Madrid’s next assignment is on January 4, against Real Betis, at home.
Category: General Sports
