Franco Vázquez and Correa celebrate Ben Yedder's goal
Match reports

3-0: SEVILLA TAKE THE REINS OF GROUP E WITH DOMINANT WIN

26/09/2017
A beautiful European night in Nervión in the return of the Champions League to Seville. Berizzo's side showed their dominance over Maribor, an opponent who started well, but were not able to make Sevilla struggle. A Ben Yedder hat-trick alongside a draw between Liverpool and Spartak Moscow puts Sevilla alone at the top of Group E

They may have been presumed superior to Maribor in the build-up but Sevilla FC proved it tonight in Nervión. Seconds after the start, Sevilla took the reins of the match and did not let go on what would prove to be Wissam Ben Yedder's night. The French striker became the first Sevilla player to score three goals in a Champions League match. Where in Nevión Sevilla were incisive and took their chances, in Moscow - Sevilla's next Champions League stop - neither Liverpool nor Spartak Moscow could find three points, leaving Eduardo Berizzo's side alone at the top of Group E. 

Berizzo's men dominated from beginning to end, testing Handanovic's goal right from the beginning. A lively Ben Yedder looked for gaps between the Slovenian defence, something which he succeeded in doing from early on. Maribor exclusively looked for chances on the break right in the first minutes, Tavares had the visitors' closest chance, with a shot that curled wide. Despite occasional Maribor chances, it seemed clear it would be Sevilla's night.

Correa and Franco Vázquez assisted Ben Yedder's goals in the first-half

With the half-an-hour mark approaching, Correa took the ball deep in the opposition half and ran directly at the Maribor defense. With a magical run that cut through Slovenian side's back-line, Correa was able to put it on a plate for Ben Yedder, who scored the first of the night. After a penalty appeal from the home side, 2-0 seemed an inevitability. Sevilla FC wouldn't have to wait long, a killer through-ball from Franco Vázquez allowed Ben Yedder to score his second, with a precise finish which bumped-in off Handanovic's right post. 

The dominance of the first-half was reflected in the half-time score and left Sevilla looking to extend their lead in the second-half. After the restart, Sevilla looked to control the game, moving the ball from one side of the field to the other - making it difficult for Maribor to claw one back. It was on the hour mark that Sevilla returned to threaten Maribor's goal, Ben Yedder denied an early third by the foot of Handanovic after another beautiful pass from Franco Vázquez. 

Ben Yedder rounded off his hat-trick from a penalty won by Corchia

Berizzo took off Nolito, giving the forward a rest after his return from injury. His replacement, Jesús Navas went close late on, hitting the crossbar with an ambitious lob after winning the ball high in the opposition's half. But it was to be Ben Yedder's night, scoring from the penalty spot after a foul on Corchia. The Frenchman's first Champions League hat-trick and a result that puts Sevilla FC in a dominant position at the top of Group E - something they can strengthen in their next fixture in Moscow.

MATCH SUMMARY

3. SEVILLA FC: Sergio Rico, Corchia, Nico Pareja, Lenglet, Escudero, N’Zonzi, Banega (Pizarro, 85), ‘Mudo’ Vázquez (Sarabia, 78), ‘Tucu’ Correa, Nolito (Jesús Navas, 66) and Ben Yedder.

0. NK MARIBOR: Handanovic, Milec, Rajcevic, Billong, Viler, Vrhovec, Kabha (Hotic, 76), Pihler, Ahmedi, Bohar (Kramaric, 71) y Marcos Tavares (Mesanovic, 88).

GOALS: 1-0, minuto 26: Ben Yedder. 2-0, minuto 37: Ben Yedder. 3-0, minuto 83: Ben Yedder, de penalti.

REFEREE: Aleksei Kulbakov. Yellow card for Escudero.