Real Madrid open six-point gap on Barcelona after Vinicius inspires win over Sevilla

Brazilian winger provides two assists in 3-1 La Liga victory at Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid's Luka Modric celebrates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla, in Madrid, Spain, 22 October 2022. EPA / Rodrigo Jimenez

Luka Modric celebrates with Real Madrid teammates after scoring the opening goal. AP

Luka Modric on the ball up against Sevilla midfielder Isco. EPA

Erik Lamela, left, celebrates after scoring Sevilla's equaliser against Real Madrid. AP

Erik Lamela fights for the ball with Real Madrid forward Rodrygo. AFP

Erik Lamela celebrates with Sevilla teammates after scoring against Real Madrid. AP

Lucas Vazquez scores Real Madrid's second goal against Sevilla. Getty

Lucas Vazquez celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's second goal. Getty

Lucas Vazquez celebrates with Real Madrid teammates after scoring against Sevilla. EPA

Federico Valverde celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's third goal against Sevilla. AFP

Federico Valverde celebrates with Lucas Vazquez after scoring Real Madrid's third goal. AFP

Federico Valverde celebrates with Lucas Vazquez after scoring Real Madrid's third goal. AFP

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his team's response to Sevilla's equaliser after running out 3-1 winners on Saturday night to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to six points.

Croatian midfielder Luka Modric opened the scoring inside the Santiago Bernabeu in the fifth minute before Erik Lamela levelled for the visitors early in the second half. However, Real Madrid wrestled control of the match back with goals from Lucas Vazquez and Fede Valverde in the final stages.

"We lost a bit of confidence when we let in the goal, but luckily, the substitutes gave energy to the team and more confidence," said Ancelotti. "We scored the second goal with a spectacular counter and a great pass from Vinicius, and from there we were on our way."

The late goals provided a rip-roaring finale to a fine night for Madrid supporters, despite heavy rain.

Karim Benzema, missing from the team with a minor injury, had presented the Ballon d'Or he won on Monday to the fans inside the Bernabeu before kick-off, handed his trophy by former winners Modric and Zinedine Zidane.

Fans brandished gold sheets laid out for them by the club.

Although they were not able to watch the French striker here, with a thigh problem keeping him out, their team maintained their momentum.

It took Real Madrid just five minutes to open the scoring.

Vinicius Junior was the architect, picking the pocket of Gonzalo Montiel, driving forward deep into the area and then sliding a perfect pass across to split the defence and leave Modric with a simple finish on his 450th appearance for the club.

Returning from a sciatica problem, Thibaut Courtois also presented his Yashin Trophy for being the world's best goalkeeper to fans, which was his only task of note until the second half. He soon had another - picking the ball out of the back of the net.

Luka Modric, Iker Casillas, Thibaut Courtois, holding the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper, Karim Benzema, holding the Ballon d'Or trophy, and Zinedine Zidane pose for a group picture. AFP

Lamela finished well after being set-up by Montiel, who stole the ball from Vinicius in a reverse of the opening goal.

Ancelotti responded by replacing Aurelien Tchouameni with Eduardo Camavinga, and Madrid picked up again, boosted further by Marco Asensio and Vazquez coming on.

Rodrygo, operating at false nine in place of Benzema, produced a piece of magic with a backheel to find Vinicius, who shot into the side-netting from a tight angle after hurtling past Bono to reach the pass.

Sevilla were on the back foot and the next time Vinicius burst through, running on to Asensio's pass, he earned his second assist of the night, and then Valverde sealed the win in spectacular fashion.

“Vinícius gave two assists, but two assists to basically make a goal," Ancelotti said. "To me, that can be even better than scoring a goal yourself and I told him that. I told him he should be really happy with what he did today because he should great humility.”

The only worry for Madrid was Uruguayan midfielder Valverde, who has seven goals this season across all competitions, taking a blow to the knee and hobbling away at the end.

"He had a blow to his leg," said Ancelotti. "We'll have to see what happens and how he is on Tuesday (for the Champions League). And Karim, I think he will come back next Sunday."

It was Sevilla's first defeat since Sampaoli took over, leaving them 14th.

"I think the team made a great effort at a very difficult place to come," said Sampaoli. "We had to control the game, it could generate a game going back-and-forth, and Madrid are the best at that."

Second-placed Barcelona can close Madrid's gap at the top when they host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.