Sevilla nearly ended Real Madrid’s streak last week (Getty)
Three days removed from falling short in their quest to eliminate Real Madrid from Spain’s Copa del Rey competition, Sevilla gained a measure of revenge Sunday afternoon. Stevan Jovetić, who officially joined Sevilla at a press conference January 10, scored the match-winner in the second minute of second-half stoppage time as Sevilla beat Real Madrid 2-1.
Sevilla’s victory ended Real Madrid’s Spanish record unbeaten streak of 40 matches in all competitions. During the streak Zinedine Zidane’s side won the UEFA Champions League (2015-16), UEFA Super Cup (2016) and FIFA Club World Cup (2016) titles.
Real Madrid surpassed rivals Barcelona with their 3-3 draw at Sevilla January 12, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to salvage a draw and advance to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey competition. Real Madrid entered Sunday’s match three results away from equaling the mark of 43 straight matches without a defeat established by Juventus from 2011 to 2012, which is the record for a team in a top five European league (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1).
Real Madrid appeared poised to extend their unbeaten run to 41 consecutive matches, but Jovetić had other ideas. Sevilla picked up Jovetić on loan from Inter Milan last week, and the move has paid off immediately as Jovetić also scored in the aforementioned Copa del Rey match a mere two days after his signing.
Sevilla’s win Sunday moves them to within a point of Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title (and Barcelona are two points back). However, Real Madrid have a match in hand on both Sevilla and Barcelona as a result of their playing in the FIFA Club World Cup last month.
