LaLiga: Kelechi Iheanacho misses as Real Madrid thrash Sevilla

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho was absent from the Sevilla squad during their 4-2 defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday.

The match began with an early breakthrough for Madrid as Kylian Mbappe stunned Sevilla with a brilliant strike in the 10th minute. Just 10 minutes later, Federico Valverde doubled the hosts’ lead with a powerful shot, leaving Sevilla goalkeeper helpless.

Rodrygo then made it 3-0 in the 34th minute with a calm finish, before Sevilla’s Isaac Romero pulled one back for the visitors just a minute later, offering them a glimmer of hope.

However, Madrid restored their three-goal lead in the second half, with Brahim Diaz scoring in the 53rd minute after a skillful assist from Mbappe.

Iheanacho, who has yet to score in his nine appearances for Sevilla this season, was not included in the matchday squad, alongside his fellow Nigerian, Chidera Ejuke, who also missed the game for the visitors.

The defeat leaves Sevilla in 14th place on the LaLiga table, with 22 points from 18 matches, just seven points clear of the relegation zone.