Match reports

0-2: A PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE SEES SEVILLA FC THROUGH TO THE LAST 16

06/01/2022

Jules Koundé and Rafa Mir were on the scoresheet as the team came out on top at La Romareda

The last two Copa del Rey ties saw the team need extra time to progress on one occasion, and a penalty shootout on the other, but this time none of that was necessary. Sevilla FC put in a strong performance to progress to the next round, with a 2-0 win away at Real Zaragoza on Three Kings' Day. The team again kept a clean sheet, and scored either side of half time, thanks to Jules Koundé and Rafa Mir, to seal the win at La Romareda. So, Sevilla are in the hat for tomorrow's last 16 draw, where they can now face a top-flight opponent.

This tie had all the ingredients for a potential third round cup upset, with Sevilla travelling to a stadium fit for top-flight football, and facing a club known for their successes in this competitions. However, the visitors stood up to the task. They barely allowed Zaragoza to even get close to Dmitrovic, and began to take control of proceedings, but without truly threatening Ratón. After half an hour, the deadlock was broken. The hosts could only clear a cross as far as Koundé on the edge of the area, who found the bottom corner with a superb strike. That effort was enough for Sevilla to lead by a goal at the break.

Koundé opened the scoring with a lovely strike from outside the area

A goal down, Real Zaragoza came out all guns blazing in the second half, knowing they had only 45 minutes to level the tie, at least. They made things very difficult for the visitors, putting them under real pressure and intimidating them, to some extent. Sevilla picked up the first few bookings of the half. Borja Sáinz was the main outlet for the hosts, forcing two corners as the home crowd urged them on. However, that pressure left Real Zaragoza open on the counter, and that's how the visitors doubled their lead. Ocampos played in Rafa Mir one-on-one with the keeper on the right-hand side, and the striker made no mistake.

The match was far from over, but, if any side looked more likely to score the third goal of the match, it was clearly Sevilla, who had a late flurry of chances. Rafa Mir went close on two occasions, but Ratón was able to deny him. Real Zaragoza tried to pull one back, but they were unable to have any shots on target. Lopetegui took advantage of this and gave Nacho Quintana his first-team debut, replacing Ocampos late on. Sevilla successfully saw the match out and they will be in the hat for tomorrow's draw for the last 16.

MATCH SUMMARY

0. REAL ZARAGOZA: Ratón, Amador, López, Clemente (Giménez, 61'), Ramón, Chavarría, Petrovic (Serrano, 75'), Zapater, González (Bermejo, 61'), Sáinz and Narváez (Yanis, 80').

2. SEVILLA FC: Dmitrovic, Montiel, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Augustinsson (Acuña, 64'), Gudelj (Ó. Torres, 64'), Rakitic, Óscar (Jordán, 59'), Ocampos (Nacho Quintana, 82'), Papu Gómez and Iván (Rafa Mir, 46').

GOALS: 0-1 Koundé, 30'. 0-2 Rafa Mir, 69'.

REFEREE: Pizarro Gómez. Bookings for Diego Carlos, Narváez, Gudelj and Petrovic.