Match reports

2-2: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED DESPITE FINAL TWIST

22/08/2017

Sevilla FC qualifies for the group stages of the Champions League in a game which could have been put to bed, but was close thanks to the Turkish side's clinical finishing. Escudero's and Ben Yedder's goals seemed to kill the game off, but Visca left Basaksehir one goal away from going through and the visitors piled on the pressure. Fortunately, it will be Berizzo's men who go through to the Champions League draw.

Perhaps with a bit more suffering than expected, Sevilla FC will be in the Champions League group stages again. In a match where Sevilla couldn't finish couldn't take advantage of early chances, Basaksehir took a 1-0 lead thanks to accurate finishing. In the second half, Sevilla came out fighting and replied with goals from Escudero and Ben Yedder, but a goal from Visca made for a nail-biting last ten minutes at 2-2. We needed to pull our socks up like never before, but this time, Sevilla came through.

Sevilla knew they needed to dominate their opponents right from the off and in many ways they did. In fact, Bacacan saw off three dangerous chances early on and saw his post struck before fans paid tribute to Antonio Puerta in the 16^th minute. Correa came close, Ben Yedder saw a shot curl just away from goal and Mercado struck a thunderbolt from range against the post. But the goal didn't come and the first-half nearly fizzled out from there on in for Berizzo's men. Basaksehir on the other hand, set up the same goal-scorer from the first leg - Elia - in their first attack to go 1-0 up. After the goal, similar to as in the first-leg, Sevilla seemed disconnected and could only try their luck with Ever Banega's direct free-kick before half-time.

Sevilla's great attacking start was halted 25 minutes into the game

The second-half started very differently. Pizarro, responsive to every loose ball in the first-half, stayed closer to N'Zonzi allowing Sevilla to hold on to the ball longer whilst the Turkish tried to get men back before counter-attacking. Sevilla eventually found the goal they were looking for through Sergio Escudero, who headed home a beautiful cross from Jesús Navas.

The winger was crucial to breaking down Istanbul's defense. Just over an hour in, the new number 16 played a incisive ball to Mercado whose cross was blasted just over by Correa. The Argentine never stopped trying but it seemed his goal would have to wait. Qualification, seemed beyond doubt after a settling goal, which came just after the introduction of Nolito.

Nolito was the star of the second goal, setting up Ben Yedder to put it past Babacan with a curling strike

The forward made an instant impact, making a mazy run and setting up Ben Yedder to score, though from a very tight angle from Babacan's goal. Sevilla smelt blood with a chance for N'Zonzi, but in a rare opportunity, Visca took advantage of a rebound to make it 2-2.

Everything changed with ten minutes to go, with the Turkish side only needing to score one more goal. They pressured hard to find just one more. Emre came closest - hitting the post from a free-kick. Despite the pressure, it wasn't enough come full-time. The final whistle was met with an explosion of jubilation, showing just how tough it had been. Notwithstanding, for the third-time running, Sevilla make the group stages of the Champions League.

MATCH SUMMARY

2. SEVILLA FC: Sergio Rico, Mercado, Nico Pareja, Lenglet, Escudero, Pizarro, N’Zonzi, Éver Banega (Pablo Sarabia, minute 91), Jesús Navas (Walter Montoya, minute 85), ‘Tucu’ Correa (Nolito, minute 71) and Ben Yedder.

2. ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR: Babacan, Caiçara, Attamah, Epureanu, Clichy, Visca, Tekdemir (Inler, minute 83), Belözoglu, Elia (Frei, minute 83), Mossoró (Napoleoni, minute 71) and Adebayor.

GOALS: 0-1, minute 17: Elia. 1-1, minute 52: Escudero. 2-1, minute 75: Ben Yedder. 2-2, minute 82: Visca.

OFFICIALS: Willian Collum, Scottish. Yellow cards for Epureanu, Mossoró, Nico Pareja, Correa and Lenglet.