Sevilla 1-1 Real Madrid: Dani Carvajal emerges as an unlikely hero, rescuing a draw after David Alaba own goal

Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Sevilla on Saturday thanks to a late header from captain Dani Carvajal, as the LaLiga leaders battled back after David Alaba's own goal put the hosts ahead.

Real now has 25 points from 10 games, three more than Girona, the season's surprise package, who hosts bottom side Almeria on Sunday. Barcelona, third with 21 points, will face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

In Seville, a frustrated Real were thwarted by two early disallowed efforts as a result of contentious refereeing decisions.

Real Madrid's players and manager Carlo Ancelotti repeatedly complained to the referee in the first half. He ruled out an early Federico Valverde strike for offside in the build-up, said he stopped play before Jude Bellingham scored, and rejected Real Madrid's claims that Jesus Navas fouled Vinicius Jr. in the penalty area.

Sevilla began to claw their way back into the game, and Carvajal made a goalline clearance to prevent an Ivan Rakitic strike.

Sergio Ramos, facing the club where he made his name for the first time since rejoining his childhood team, made a crucial goalline clearance of his own to help Sevilla keep the game level before halftime.

The second half was all about the goalkeepers, with both Kepa Arrizabalaga and Orjan Nyland making spectacular saves to keep their respective teams in the game.

Sevilla's Nyland made a brilliant reflex save to deny Rodrygo's point-blank strike early on, and Real's Kepa palmed a fine Ivan Rakitic strike from range round the post.

However, Real fell behind in the 74th minute after defender Alaba scored an own goal while challenging forward Youssef En Nesyri.

Carvajal equalized four minutes later with a towering close-range header from a Toni Kroos cross.

Five cautions were issued during the game's tense final minutes as a result of a few altercations.

SportsLigue