Modric keeps Madrid on course for La Liga title with curler vs. Sevilla
Find the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications.
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric's curling strike gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday, lifting them eight points clear of Barcelona atop La Liga where they are unbeaten in 20 games.
Madrid's last league loss came in September.
Third-placed Girona are a further point adrift. They are not in action until Monday when they take on Rayo Vallecano.
With Jude Bellingham and Joselu both injured and Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Carvajal both suspended, Madrid faltered in the early exchanges and Youssef En-Nesyri missed an early chance for the visitors.
Sunday's game appeared headed for a stalemate until 38-year-old Modric, who was on as a late substitute, produced a blistering strike from outside the box after 81 minutes as the referee waved away angry Sevilla claims for offside.
An equally impressive Lucas Vazquez strike had been wiped off by VAR after 10 minutes, a decision which prompted jeers and brought a yellow card for Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The match saw 37-year-old Sergio Ramos' return to the Santiago Bernabeu, where he spent 16 seasons, but it was Modric who stole the headlines.
"We proved that we never give up. That is in Real Madrid's DNA," said Modric.
"We would have preferred to have scored earlier, but it's even more thrilling when it comes late."
Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde had a lively game, hitting a post and scraping the crossbar in the first half as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo also went close.
Vinicius was the man behind Lucas Vazquez's goal which was ruled out when Nacho had clearly fouled En-Nesyri in the run-up.
A minute's silence was observed before the game in memory of victims of the apartment block fire in the Spanish city of Valencia.
On Saturday, Xavi's rejigged Barcelona side thrashed Getafe 4-0 to climb to second, with recalled duo Joao Felix and Raphinha on the scoresheet.
Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong and Fermin Lopez were also on target.
HEADLINES
- Cortes upset Yankees moved him to bullpen: 'I've been the workhorse'
- Dodgers' Hernández avoids major foot injury, could return by Tuesday
- Report: Mavs bring back vet Markieff Morris
- Braves' Merrifield fractures foot same week he was hit in head by pitch
- Report: Packers' Love could miss 3-4 weeks with MCL sprain