New boy James Rodriguez started the game after his
wonderful display at the just concluded world cup (brazil 2014), but he was
almost responsible for gifting Sevilla an equaliser, only for Iker Casillas to
save from Daniel Carrico. it was 2-0 to
Real early in the second period when Karim Benzema played in Ronaldo on the
left of the box and he drilled a powerful shot beyond Beto, but the goalkeeper
was not lucky enough to stop.\
Real madrid boss Carlo
Ancelotti paraded his awe-inspiring wealth of playing talent, with major summer
signings James and Toni Kroos joining Bale and Ronaldo in a team captained by
goalkeeper Iker Casillas. James and Kroos both had their moments, with the
electric speed of the Colombia international’s making an interesting a regular
highlight, while Bale's former Spurs colleague Luka Modric was awesome in
midfield. Although the Spanish domestic season does not start for almost another
fortnight, Real are ready to go, which means they will not only challenge for
another European crown but also serious threat to Atletico Madrid's reign as La
Liga champions.
Real predictably
monopolised possession in the early stages, but Bale's first involvement almost
saw him put through by Ronaldo. He appeared to be brought down on the edge of
Sevilla's penalty area, yet referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on. Bale then
saw a shot deflected narrowly wide as pressure began to mount, and when Ronaldo
was sent crashing to the turf, Clattenburg this time gave a free-kick that
Ronaldo dipped just over the bar. Casillas was not called into action until the
20th minute, and he had to be alert at his near post to block a Vitolo shot as
Sevilla displayed a counter-attacking hunger after being penned deep inside
their own half.
Ronaldo should have
put Real ahead following Karim Benzema's excellent approach work, yet having
eased past two Sevilla defenders he shot straight at advancing Sevilla
goalkeeper Beto. It was a let-off for the underdogs, but Ronaldo was not to be
denied 15 minutes before the break, finishing from close range for his 17th
goal in 10 appearances against Sevilla after Bale's inch-perfect cross created
a gilt-edged opening.
Sevilla could have few
complaints, having played second fiddle for long periods as Real's masterful
exhibition of passing meant they enjoyed prolonged periods of control.
Casillas was pressed
into his second save of the game as half-time approached, deflecting a Daniel
Carrico effort high and wide after James dwelled on the ball, but Real had no
further scares in securing a 1-0 interval advantage. And Ronaldo stamped a
defnitive mark on proceedings just four minutes after the break when he rifled
a powerful left-footed shot into the corner of Beto's net to double Real's
lead. Despite having effectively wrapped the game up, Real showed no intent to
take their foot off the accelerator and Ancelotti will have been thrilled with
their desire during the closing stages of a one-sided encounter.
James went desperately
close to making it 3-0, but his powerful drive was superbly turned around the
post by Beto, then Modric was narrowly off-target with a shot from outside the
box. Emery sent on former Arsenal player Jose Antonio Reyes among his late
substitutions, but Real were already in cruise control and they comfortably
closed the game out as they added more silverware to a bulging Bernabeu trophy
cabinet.
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