1-2: A LATE OPENING-DAY DEFEAT

Sevilla FC fell to a late defeat in MD1 of the new LALIGA EA SPORTS season, with Valencia taking all three points in a 2-1 loss.

Diakhaby had opened the scoring on the hour mark before En-Nesyri equalised, rising highest to meet Suso's cross and heading powerfully past Mamardashvili.

However, the last ten minutes would end painfully for Sevilla, with Badé dismissed on 81 minutes, a few minutes before Javi Guerra scored the winner.

Although Valencia held the upper hand in the first few minutes, Mendilibar's side didn't take long to take control of possession, and nearly opened the scoring inside ten minutes when Acuña's vicious drive from distance went just over the bar.

En-Nesyri was next to threaten when he met Suso's cross, but could only head straight at the keeper. Lucas Ocampos would go even closer a few minutes later, receiving the ball after Lamela had won the ball and started a dangerous counter attack, but the Argentine fired over. As for the visitors, they were limited to long-range efforts from Gayà and Diego López.

En-Nesyri equalised with a crashing header

Sevilla continued to push for the opener after the interval, with Marcos Acuña in particular at the heart of the attacks. However, it would be Valencia who took the lead when an unmarked Diakhaby found the bottom corner.

The home side needed a response and poured men forward, and they did find their equaliser ten minutes later. Suso's superb cross from deep was met by En-Nesyri, who headed powerfully beyond Mamardashvili. 

A comeback was possible, but an 81st minute red card for Badé, who was deemed to be the last man, handed the initiative back to Valencia. They went on to take full advantage, with Javi Guerra rolling the ball home in the 88th minute. The ten men of Sevilla could not find another equaliser, and failed to threaten the keeper. 

Next up for Sevilla is a trip to the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis in Piraeus, Greece, to face Manchester City in the UEFA Super Cup next Wednesday.

MATCH SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas (Juanlu, min. 68), Badé, Gudelj, Acuña, Fernando (Sow, min. 68), Rakitic, Suso, Lamela (Óliver Torres, min. 56), Ocampos and En-Nesyri (Gattoni, min. 82). 

2. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry, G. Paulista, Diakhaby, Cenk, Gayá (Vázquez, min. 86) Pepelu, Almeida (Javi Guerra, min. 61), Fran Pérez (Foulquier, min. 61), Diego López (Gonzálvez, min. 64), Hugo Duro. 

GOALS: 0-1: Diakhaby, min. 60. 1-1: En-Nesyri, min. 70. 1-2: Javi Guerra, min. 89.

REFEREE: Sánchez Martínez. Bookings for Rakitic, Gudelj, Acuña, Diakhaby and Cenk. Red card for Badé.