Sevilla vs. Real Madrid: Score, Grades, Reaction from La Liga

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to maintain Real Madrid's La Liga title challenge to Barcelona with a 3-2 win at Sevilla.

After the league leaders extended their advantage at the summit to five points with an 8-0 win at Cordoba earlier on Saturday, Los Blancos needed a swift start. After 35 minutes played and with Sevilla defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak being treated off the field, Ronaldo scored twice inside a minute to give Real the early advantage.

But seconds before half-time, Sevilla earned a lifeline back into the match when Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos needlessly brought down Aleix Vidal inside the area, and Carlos Bacca slammed home the penalty.

Sevilla threatened to level in the opening stages of the second period, but the introduction of Gareth Bale as a 65th-minute substitute ended with the Welshman setting up Ronaldo for his third goal of the day and a La Liga record 25th hat-trick.

The home side did not go gently and hit back in the 79th minute through substitute Vicente Iborra.

Real Madrid held out, though, to claw the deficit behind Barcelona to two points in the chase for the title.

Only the presence of Sergio Rico prevented Ronaldo scoring in the 10th minute. The Sevilla goalkeeper blocked from close range as the Portugal international connected with a Marcelo ball into the area.

Sevilla then produced a change of their own, and Iker Casillas needed to be alert as he thwarted Vidal in the 18th minute following great buildup play by Jose Antonio Reyes.

And former Real Madrid loanee Reyes was almost on the end of a Bacca cross to the far post in the 23rd minute.

There was some concern for Sevilla in the 30th minute when Krychowiak clashed heads with Ramos and came off worse with a bloodied nose. The Pole had to leave the field to get treatment.

And in the 36th minute, Real took advantage of Krychowiak's absence with the opening goal. Marcelo played the ball to Isco on the left side of the area and crossed deep into the Sevilla box where Ronaldo rose highest to head home.

Within 60 seconds, Ronaldo added a second. A James Rodriguez ball from the opposite side of the Sevilla area was flicked on by Javier Hernandez and the Ballon d'Or holder stuck out a leg to poke the ball beyond Rico.

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GOAL RONALDO! Sevilla 0-2 Real Madrid http://t.co/rySvLlGNI2

— Football Live Goals (@FootyLiveVines) May 2, 2015"

Eventually, Krychowiak returned to the action in the 38th minute, but questions will be asked as to why Sevilla waited so long to get him back on the field with his absence costing so dearly.

Raphael Varane was the only Real Madrid defender awake in the final minute of the first half when he blocked a Bacca strike from a Sevilla free-kick.

Ramos then gifted Sevilla an opportunity with a needless foul on Vidal in injury-time of the opening half.

The Spain international was cautioned and Bacca slammed home the penalty, leaving Real boss Carlo Ancelotti angered on the sidelines.

Krychowiak reappeared for the second half with a face mask covering his injury, and the home side were almost level in the 48th minute when Stephane Mbia headed just wide from a corner.

Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal picked up a yellow card in the 50th minute for a foul. Sevilla used the resulting free-kick as an opportunity to pile the pressure on the visitors, and Mbia forced a good save from Casillas.

Sevilla bossed the game in the opening exchanges of the second period, but Real Madrid were able to repel their hosts. Pepe needed to be smart to thwart Vidal as he threatened down the left side of the Real area in the 65th minute.

At the other end, Toni Kroos went close with a right-footed shot from the edge of the box from an Isco pass.

Ancelotti restored Bale to first-team action in the 65th minute, as the Wales international replaced Hernandez.

And Bale provided the assist for Ronaldo to complete his hat-trick three minutes later. Bale danced between two Sevilla challenges on the right before sending over a ball with his left foot. Ronaldo was waiting and leapt beyond the far post to arrow the ball past the dive of Rico and make it 3-1.

"

GOAL RONALDO! Sevilla 1-3 Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/QsK9MTNTOv

— Football Live Goals (@FootyLiveVines) May 2, 2015"

With 11 minutes remaining, though, the home side ensured a nervy finale when Vidal chased into the area for a Kevin Gameiro pass before pulling the ball back for Iborra to slot past Casillas.

There was some concern on the sidelines also as Ronaldo started to hobble late on with a knock. Ancelotti was surely worried about his star's health ahead of Real's Champions League semi-final first leg at Juventus on Tuesday.

A major scramble inside the Real Madrid area five minutes before the end almost saw Gameiro grab an equaliser, but Pepe eventually cleared the danger. 

Real Madrid maintained their Liga hopes by holding on to claim the three points, sending a message to Barcelona that the title will not be won at a canter.

Selected Player Ratings

Cristiano Ronaldo: A+

The Real Madrid star was again the right man in the right place for Los Blancos with his two goals within 60 seconds in the first half. His hat-trick goal also proved to be decisive.

Jose Antonio Reyes: A

The Sevilla forward was in tremendous form on the night and looked to have a point to prove against his old club. The former Arsenal player might not be the quickest, but Real Madrid struggled to take the ball off him.

Grzegorz Krychowiak: B+

The Sevilla defensive midfielder was sorely missed as he left the field after his clash with Ramos, with Real Madrid scoring twice in a minute.

Sergio Ramos: B

The Real Madrid defender deserved any criticism coming his way for his needless lunge at Bacca in first-half injury-time, which granted Sevilla a lifeline.

Post-Match Reaction

Bale was elated with the important victory, as he tweeted out:

Ancelloti heaped praise upon his star man, per ESPN's Dermot Corrigan: