Sevilla FC against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup

First team

1-2: PRESTIGIOUS VICTORY AGAINST ARSENAL WITH GREAT GOALS FROM CORREA AND NZONZI

30/07/2017

The tournament's unique points system means Sevilla FC finish as runners-up despite winning both matches

That is the end of Sevilla FC's participation in the Emirates Cup this weekend. After beating RB Leipzig on Saturday, Eduardo Berizzo's lads went one step further on Sunday and defeated hosts Arsenal FC 2-1. The brilliant goals from Correa and Nzonzi in the second half means that Sevilla FC leave London with a prestigious victory, which still wasn't enough to lift the trophy. The fact that every goal is worth a point means that Arsenal retain their trophy despite having only achieved one victory. Sevilla FC finish second with the same number of points as the gunners but with fewer goals scored.

Naturally there were changes from the side that Berizzo selected to start against Leipzig, but the team did not lose its intensity, relying on newcomers to the side such as Parejo at the back and Nzonzi in the middle. And it only took a quarter of an hour to give Arsenal their first cause for concern. A measured pass from Banega with the inside of his foot found Ben Yedder one-on-one with Cech. The Frenchman, leaning into the ball, struck it cleanly and the ball came back off the post.

The London side did not rest on the back foot and also looked to test David Soria, mainly through getting men into the central-midfield area and taking advantage of Chamberlain's pace on the left. This was how the first clear chance for Wenger's team came about, with Chamberlain's cross finding Bellerín at the back post, who shot high and over. Welbeck and Ramsey also blasted over, but Sevilla didn't give up, playing with the ball at their feet and trying rapid switches of play in search of Cech's net.

Berizzo's team played with real togetherness at the Emirates

In one such move, after half an hour, Nolito tried from distance with a volley from a lofted ball, but the shot fizzed just wide of the Arsenal net. And just before half-time, there was another very clear chance, this time from direct play. A long ball from Pareja towards the left flank found an unmarked Nolito who provided a deft pass across to Ben Yedder, who was making a run alongside him. However, an alert Koscielny managed to intercept the pass.

And after the good way the first half had panned out, the second started even better. Only three minutes had passed since play had resumed and a Krohn-Dehli pass cleverly sent Correa through. He deftly left the ball for Ben Yedder, who sent it through the Arsenal defence for Correa to slot past Cech, who had come out to try to smother the ball. Sevilla were good value for their lead and even had some minutes laying siege to the Arsenal box, but little by little the London side pulled their way back into the game.

And so, just after the hour mark came the equaliser after a great move by Chamberlain. After leaving Lenglet reeling, he cut inside, offloading the ball to Welbeck, whose touch was enough to allow Lacazette to slot in at Rico's back post. A somewhat unfair prize for the home side, who would find justice again on the 70th minute. A ball came in from the left which Ganso let fall to Nzonzi on the edge of the area. The Frenchman shot magnificently and fired past Cech, the keeper unable to find the necessary impossible save.

Pizarro and Ganso showed-off their skills in the second half

In the latter stages of the half there were appearances from Corchia, Carlos Fernández and Pizarro, who was immense. Arsenal pressed in the final stretch, spurred on by their fans, but could not get through a Sevilla side who return home with the satisfaction of a job well done. Next Friday, the team return to England for another mini tour in which they will face Southampton and Everton.

Sevilla FC starting XI: David Soria; Mercado, Nico Pareja, Carriço, Escudero; Nzonzi, Banega, Krohn-Dehli; Correa, Nolito and Ben Yedder.

Substitutes: Sergio Rico, Montoya, Lenglet, Ganso, Pizarro, Corchia, Carlos Fernández.

Photos: Raquel Fernández Segura