Real Madrid F.C. lost 2-1 at Sevilla on Wednesday in the aftermath of its stinging “clasico” defeat as it slipped behind in the Spanish title race, while Atletico Madrid and Barcelona kept winning to move ahead of their rival in the standings.
Cristiano Ronaldo put Madrid in charge with his league-leading 27th goal of the season in the 14th minute, but Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca scored twice, in the 19th and 73rd, to complete the comeback.
Madrid’s loss at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium came four days after it squandered a chance to effectively end Barcelona’s title defense, with Lionel Messi out-dueling Ronaldo by scoring a hat trick for a thrilling 4-3 win in the Spanish capital. These consecutive losses came after Carlo Ancelotti’s side had gone undefeated for 31 straight matches.
“We have to keep working, fighting and ask our fans for forgiveness,” said Madrid full back Marcelo. “It’s tough to do what we did, to keep winning for so many games. We have lost two games. They aren’t more important, but they are critical. Now everything is much more difficult.”
