MADRID — Real Madrid held on to beat Sevilla 2-1 and increase its lead of the Spanish league on Wednesday despite a spate of injuries and not counting on suspended forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Madrid lost Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez in an injury-plagued first half at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium that also claimed Sevilla goalkeeper Antonio "Beto" Bastos.
Rodriguez gave Madrid the 12th-minute lead before he left with hurt right foot in the 25th.
Beto needed to be carried off following a violent collision with Karim Benzema in the 35th, and a minute later substitute Jese Rodriguez made it 2-0.
Dangerous early, Sevilla also mustered a late push and substitute Iago Aspas scored to keep the result in doubt for the final 10 minutes.
Madrid leads Barcelona by four points.
