Sevilla FC celebrate victory against Granada CF

2-1: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

25/04/2021

Despite a never-seen-before end to the match, which did no justice for how comfortable the encounter had been for Sevilla FC, the three points stay in Seville after Rakitić and Ocampos' goals seal Champions League qualification

A tough Granada CF came out to make life difficult for Sevilla FC as they pressed high and forced the centre-backs to be on their game. That said, the first team to send out a warning was Sevilla through Papu Gómez, enjoying freedom in attack, as he fired over a pass from Marcos Acuña. The Argentine would show up again, this time decisively, but before that there was time for Antonio Puertas to put the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for a clear foul by Kenedy on Acuña. Papu received a great pass from Lucas Ocampos who had broken down the left wing, but Gonalons took his legs from underneath him in the box. De Burgos Bengoetxea pointed to the spot and Rakitić made no mistake, placing the penalty beyond Rui Silva who had guessed the right way but could not keep the spot-kick out. 1-0 to Sevilla.

Sevilla were in complete control and full of composure throughout the match

Julen Lopetegui's team made full use of the goal as they asserted themselves on Granada for the rest of the half. Luuk de Jong could have doubled the advantage shortly after but he sent Navas' cross just over. The home side did not want to rush things against a Granada whose game plan was to make use of any lost balls and spring a counter - Sevilla never lost patience as they probed Granada. They managed to construct two good chances for Suso and Papu. Both tried their luck from outside the box but Rui Silva was able to get to both strikes. Half-time came in a controlled 45 minutes for Sevilla but who needed a second goal to kill the game off.

Diego Martínez made changes at the break as Granada tried to react but they were up against a resolute Sevilla who looked to double their advantage. And eight minutes after the break, they would do so. Papu was smart down the left as he cut it back for Ocampos who fired it past Silva in goal. Lopetegui refreshed his team on the hour mark as En-Nesyri and Jordán came on. The minutes went by and the match was without much action, with Bono having little to do.

Granada caused little worry for Bono but got back into the game with a penalty in the 90th minute

Lopetegui wanted to close the game off and brought on Óliver Torres for a decisive Papu Gómez. The visitors, with their top goalscorer Roberto Soldado on the pitch, could not find a way beyond Sevilla's backline. With the match coming to an end, Lopetegui brought on Franco Vázquez and Nemanja Gudelj for the fatigued Ocampos and Rakitić. And when everything seemed to be heading to a calm conclusion, one of new football's penalties changed everything. Soldado headed the ball against Acuña's elbow and made no mistake from the subsequent penalty against Bono.

The end of the game saw a spectacle rarely or perhaps never seen before. De Burgos blew for full-time a minute before the allocated injury time. He was made aware of his error minutes later when the Sevilla players were already preparing for the post-game shower. The two teams ended up playing the extra minute and Granada did not manage to threaten Bono as the referee, this time for real, blew for full-time to seal at least fourth place for Sevilla. There are 15 points left and motivation is at a high. At Sevilla FC, we always want more.

GAME SUMMARY

2. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Acuña, Fernando, Rakitic (Gudelj, 86'), Papu Gómez (Óliver Torres, 73'), Suso (Joan Jordán, 59'), Ocampos (Franco Vázquez, 86') and De Jong (En-Nesyri, 59').

1. GRANADA CF: Rui Silva, Víctor Díaz, Nehuén (Machís, 46'), Germán, Neva (Jorge Molina, 71'), Gonalons (Montoro, 59'), Herrera, Foulquier, Kenedy (Quini, 46'), Antonio Puertas and Luis Suárez (Soldado, 68').

GOALS: 1-0, 16': Rakitic pen.; 2-0, 53': Ocampos; 2-1, Soldado, 90';

REFEREE: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea. Yellows for Kenedy, Antonio Puertas, Montoro and Koundé.