Mbappe hits brace as Real beat Sevilla in fluid show

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to six points with a 4-1 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu, a week before the rivals meet. Real, who have won three straight games in all competitions following the international break, climbed to third on 21 points on Sunday, one behind Atletico Madrid, while Sevilla are sixth on 14. Elsewhere, Osasuna withstood second-half pressure from Racing Santander to win 2-0 in Jagoba Arrasate's first game back as manager. Two flying saves from Ionut Radu denied Alaves a point in a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo, while Real Sociedad won 5-2 at Malaga. Despite the suspended Vinicius Jr's absence, Real produced the fluid attacking football that has been lacking of late with Arda Guler again orchestrating their best work. After a stale opening, the Turkey international sparked the match into life. Sevilla appealed for a red card following an incident involving Guler and Peque Fernandez, but Guler responded minutes later by collecting Yan Diomande's pass and arrowing a shot into the top corner. Mbappe scored an equally impressive second in the 37th minute, turning brilliantly to burst through on goal before calmly beating Odysseas Vlachodimos. Fede Valverde, restored to right back...