Brazilian international striker Rodrigo led his team, Real Madrid, to enhance its chances of finishing the season in the runner-up, when he scored a double for him, beating Seville 2-1, on Saturday, at the “Ramon Sanchez-Pisjuan” stadium, in the opening of the thirty-seventh and penultimate stage of the Spanish Football Championship.

The royal club turned the tables on its Andalusian host, who advanced early through Rafa Mir (3), before conceding Rodrigo's double in the 29th and 69th minutes, raising his tally to nine goals this season in La Liga.

Real Madrid strengthened its position in second place with 77 points, temporarily 4 points behind its only competitor for the runner-up, its neighbor and traditional rival Atletico Madrid, who hosts Real Sociedad at a fiery summit Sunday at the end of the stage.

On the other hand, Seville continued to bleed points for the third match after two consecutive draws and suffered a loss that frozen its balance at 49 points in tenth place temporarily.

The loss of the Andalusian team came five days before the final match of the European League competition, "Europa League", against Roma, Italy, next Wednesday.

In the last stage, Real Madrid will play with its guest, Athletic Bilbao, and Sevilla, with its host, Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid played the match in the absence of its stars, French captain Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio and Brazilian Vinicius Junior, due to injury, and the suspended Danny Carvajal.

As for Sevilla, its veteran captain, Jesus Navas, and Senegalese Bab Gueye were absent due to suspension, and Brazilian Fernando due to injury.

Jose Luis Mendilibar pushed Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassin Bono for the first time in the league since his return from the World Cup in Qatar, where he finished fourth with his country in an Arab and African achievement, at the expense of Serbian Marko Dmitrovic, for introducing the atmosphere of competition before the final match of the European League competition.

Sevilla scored first through Rafa Mir with a powerful left-footed shot from inside the area, which was placed in the far right corner of the Belgian international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, taking advantage of a rebound from Brazilian international defender Eder Militao after a shot by Brian Gill (3).

Rodrigo missed the opportunity to equalize when he received a ball on a platter of gold from Lucas Vasquez in front of the goal, so he played it with his right hand next to the left post (15).

And Rodrigo succeeded in equalizing with a direct free kick from 20 meters, which he hit with his right and settled in the left corner of Bono (29).
The left post saved Real Madrid from the second goal by returning a powerful shot from close range to Argentine Eric Lamela (37), before the latter missed a real opportunity after receiving a ball from his compatriot Alejandro Gomes in front of the goal, which he followed over the three sticks (42).

Italian royal coach Carlo Ancelotti was forced to replace Uruguayan international midfielder Federico Valverde early in the second half due to injury, so he pushed French international Eduardo Camavinga (54).

Rodrigo strengthened the Royal Club's progress from a quick counterattack, during which he received a ball from German Toni Kroos in the middle of the stadium, so he quickly set off and penetrated into the area and manipulated Argentine international defender Goncalo Montiel twice before playing it with his right crawling to the left of Bono (70).

"It's hard to choose (between the two goals), both were great, maybe the second goal was a bit more, but scoring from a free kick is always special," Rodrygo told Dazone, a broadcaster.

"I was a little upset with him (Ancelotti) because I wanted to score another goal to achieve the hat-trick, but it's okay, he told me we would win this way," added Rodrigo, who was replaced by Ancelotti 10 minutes before the end of the match.

Ancelotti praised his striker after the match. "Rodrigo shines in the centre-forward position and he can play there. He has different characteristics, but with his dribbling around the penalty area, it is easier to score from there than to do it as a winger."

The Uruguayan substitute, Alvaro Rodrigues, almost added the third goal with a header from close range, which passed near the left post (73).

Seville tried to remedy the situation, but received a painful blow by expelling its other Argentine international defender, Marcos Acuña, due to a strong interference on midfielder Danny Ceballos (83).

Bono saved his goal from a third goal by blocking a powerful shot by Kroos from the edge of the area (88).

Mir said, "We are a family, we showed that, we went through some very bad moments, but the last quarter of the season was amazing. Now we have the final prize, we want to come back here with the cup," referring to the Europa League.

Sunday also plays at the same time, with the principle of equal opportunities between all teams, Barcelona the champion with Real Mallorca, Getafe with Osasuna, Cadiz with Celta Vigo, Almeria with Valladolid, Athletic Bilbao with Elche, Valencia with Espanyol, Girona with Real Betis, and Rayo Vallecano with Villarreal.