Real Madrid suffered a late scare to pocket a 3-2 home win against Alaves in the seventh round of matches in La Liga.
A strong Real Madrid starting line-up was having few problems as they led 3-0 against a rival who rested the majority of their regular starters ahead of a trip to play Getafe next weekend.
Lucas Vazquez put Madrid ahead inside the first minute after a good pullback from Vinicius Jr, and Kylian Mbappe's fifth goal in five games doubled the lead five minutes before halftime, Xinhua reports.
Rodrygo looked to have ended any slight doubts about the final result when he cut inside from the right to score with a low shot three minutes into the second half.
Both teams then hit the post before Carlos Benavidez pulled what looked to have been a consolation goal for the visitors in the 85th minute, but when Kike Garcia made it 3-2 a minute later, Madrid suddenly faced a tricky finish to the game which saw their rivals go close to an equaliser on a couple of occasions.
Five minutes to time, Chidera Ejuke scored the vital goal for Sevilla, who gained a 2-1 victory at home against Valladolid in a game they paid a big price for their win.
The Nigerian striker scored with a shot close to the post that decided the match.
Sevill a took the lead just before half-time at the end of period of pressure that saw Dodi Lukebakio's shot deflect into the Valladolid goal off David Torres.
Sevilla had dominated the first 45 minutes, taking 13 shots to just one of their rivals, an indicator of how ineffective both sides have been in attack.
The second half got off to a dreadful start for Sevilla, who lost Saul with what looks to be a serious injury, before Kike Perez equalized for the visitors after great work from Mario Martin.
Sevilla defender Marcao was sent off in the closing moments and will also miss Sunday's trip to play Athletic Bilbao in the San Mames Stadium.
Valencia and Osasuna drew 0-0 in Tuesday's other fixture.
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