Real Madrid faced Sevilla, away from Santiago Bernabeau, in what turned out to be a drawn-out thriller, albeit one marked by erratic refereeing as Guillermo Cuadra Fernández baulked at a Madrid sendoff in the first half, and disallowed their equalizer in the second part of the game. 

Madrid was already two goals down to the home team when Eduardo Camavinga, the French wunderkind, brought down his compatriot Anthony Martial who’d made a run for the opponent’s goalpost. 

Sliding in from Martial’s right, the late challenge didn’t touch the ball while preventing the counter. Sevilla expected a second yellow and a subsequent sendoff for the midfielder, but the referee had other plans in mind. 

Not only was any punishment denied, but the referee had also kept the game going until the fallen Frenchman’s teammate Eric Lamela brought it to a stop. Martial was the one who eventually walked away with a yellow for a temper flare that had him throw a bottle near the match official.

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As Madrid went goalless into the second half, they managed to put one in thanks to Rodrygo. Then came a potential equalizer in the 74th minute from Vinicius Jr. A handball was called by the referee who consulted the VAR and disallowed the goal. 

However, a persistent Madrid would not be denied, and coach Carlo Ancelotti brought on Nacho, who equalized with his first touch of the ball. As the game went into stoppage time, Karim Benzema stepped up proving why the French striker is having a phenomenal season. 

Ten minutes into stoppage time, he scored, giving Madrid a hard-won victory against their Andalusian rivals. 

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Sevilla will next face Levante in a La Liga fixture on April 21, while Madrid will go up against Pep Guardiola coached Manchester City, on April 27, in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.