Ángel Di María squeezed in the only goal as Real Madrid CF made light of Ricardo Carvalho being dismissed to defeat Sevilla FC 1-0.

Having been frustrated in a first half during which the visitors created the better chances, Madrid seemed to be up against it when Carvalho was shown a second yellow card (63) for barging into the back of Álvaro Negredo. However, Di María (76) slotted in the winner when he fashioned enough space to place a shot past Andrés Palop after the goalkeeper had wandered from his goal to try and claim Pedro León's deflected attempt. Sevilla's Mouhamadou Dabo was shown a straight red in added time. 

Los Merengues' city rivals, Club Atlético de Madrid, delivered a positive response to exiting the UEFA Europa League by winning 3-0 at third-bottom Málaga CF. Tiago scored twice, both headers from Simão free-kicks, and set up the other for Álvaro Domínguez as Los Colchaneros moved within two points of the top four.

Elsewhere, struggling Real Zaragoza drew 0-0 with CA Osasuna and Getafe CF – level on points with Atlético − recovered from two down in a 3-2 victory over UD Almería. Real Racing Club against Hércules CF concludes the 16th round of matches on Monday.

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