0-1: BENZEMA TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE AS SEVILLA TIRE

The first half was played an a extremely high tempo, especially for the first thirty minutes, as both sides were able to counter attack at speed. Sevilla's attacks came through both Navas and Ocampos, with Ocampos playing on the opposite flank so Navas could attack more easily. Real Madrid tried the same, with Caravajal and Hazard. By the time the half-time whistle had been blown, the sides had managed 13 corners between them.

Vaclík made two big saves in a matter of minutes in the first half

Despite good pressure from Sevilla in the opposition's half, and breaking away well after winning the ball back, it was Zidane's team that had the best chances to open the scoring, as Vaclík made two big saves in a matter of minutes. The first came from Hazard, taking advantage of Fernando losing the ball, but his one-on-one effort was saved by the Czech international. Two minutes later, he was again called into action, making a strong save from Carvajal to keep the score at 0-0 under the floodlights in Nervión. 

The second half started with a Madrid side who wanted to be on the front-foot more, and pressing Lopetegui's men back into their own half, but without testing Vaclík. The Nervionenses, after ten minutes, began to break free from Real Madrid's perssure and again pressed further forward. As the game wore on, both sides appeared to be suffering from exhaustion due to the frantic start to the game, and both concentration and precision would become vitally important.

Benzema's header was a killer blow for Sevilla, who had put in a huge effort in the first half

It was then that the visitors took advantage and opened the scoring. Carvajal found space on the right wing, and his cross found an unmarked Benzema, who headed powerfully past Vaclík. The goal came as a shock to Sevilla, coming at the worst possible moment, and they found themselves 1-0 down at the Sánchez-Pizjuán. 

The Nervión side then put in as much effort as was possible, focusing their efforts down the right hand side through both Jesús Navas and Ocampos. The only effort that Sevilla could muster was a weak rebound from De Jong with 15 minutes remaining. Chicharito and Nolito came off the bench, becoming new attacking outlets for Lopetegui's side, but they were unable to find the equaliser. 

Sevilla are back in action in midweek, with a trip to Eibar on Thursday at 19:00, in the sixth LaLiga match of the season.

MATCH STATS

0. SEVILLA FC: Vaclík, Jesús Navas, Diego Carlos, Carriço (Nolito, 81'), Reguilón, Fernando, Jordán (Chicharito, 68'), Banega, Vázquez (Óliver Torres, 50'), Ocampos and De Jong. 

1. REAL MADRID: Courtois, Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Mendy, Casemiro, Kroos, James (Valverde, 75'), Bale, Hazard (Lucas Vázquez, 88') and Benzema.

GOLES: 0-1 Benzema, 64'. 

REFEREE: Martínez Munuera, from Valencia. Carvajal, Banega, Jordán, Sergio Ramos and De Jong were all yellow carded.