Real Madrid missed a chance to return to the top of La Liga on Sunday, throwing away a lead to lose 3-2 at Sevilla, with Sergio Ramos’ injury-enforced withdrawal worsening matters.
Rafael Benitez’s men were knocked off top spot thanks to Barcelona’s victory over Villarreal earlier in the day and the visitors then suffered the first defeat of the coach’s reign despite welcoming back Gareth Bale from injury at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Karim Benzema was absent from the squad following a week in which the injured striker was charged as part of an investigation into an alleged sex-tape plot involving France teammate Mathieu Valbuena, but Madrid’s quest to return to top spot began well without him.
Captain Ramos scored against his former employers, only to injure himself in the process and go off half an hour in. From there, momentum shifted as Sevilla levelled before the break courtesy of Ciro Immobile’s first goal for the club.
Ever Banega then completed the comeback after the break as Madrid fell behind for the first time this season.
The introduction of James Rodriguez, making his return from a calf injury as a substitute, failed to secure an equalizer, with Sevilla securing an eye-catching win when Fernando Llorente added a third shortly after replacing Immobile.
Rodriguez did mark his return to fitness with a 93rd-minute consolation strike but Madrid and Benitez will hope the international break does not add to their injury list, with the potentially crucial visit of Barca to come on November 21.
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