1-1: SEVILLA FC DRAMATICALLY SALVAGE A POINT IN VILLARREAL

In front of 1,000 travelling Sevillistas, the team were gunning for the three points that would have confirmed Champions League qualification for the third year running. Julen Lopetegui's men had to settle with a draw, however, with Jules Koundé dramatically poking home a corner in the last minute to cancel out Lo Celso's opener.

Juan Foyth went close early on in the first half with his header from point-blank range that was subsequently dealt with by Bono. Sevilla replied through En-Nesyri but his shot was gathered by Rulli. This was how the game got underway and as the minutes went by, the home side began to dominate possession over a well-setup Sevilla side. Chukwueze, operating out on the right-wing for the yellows, would send a curling shot onto the crossbar from the edge of the 18-yard box.                              

Bono, on two separate occasions, prevented the home side from taking the lead in the first half    

Villarreal CF had two great chances to open the scoring but a stellar Bono, who kept the tie intact, halted Lo Celso and Pau Torres from making it 1-0. Against the momentum of Unai Emery's side, Sevilla FC looked to surprise on the counter-attack through En-Nesyri. The Moroccan went through one-on-one with Rulli, but it would be disallowed for offside. With few chances conjured up in front of the Villarreal goal and Bono's brilliance keeping the scores level, everything was left to play for open for in the second half.

Then in the second half, after consulting with VAR, Gil Manzando ruled out an own goal from Koundé due to an offside from Boulaye Día as the Villarreal striker competed for the ball. With the scores level again, both coaches moved to make changes, changing up the game in the closing stages of the game. Rafa Mir, after coming off the bench, could not finish past Rulli in Sevilla’s best chance as the clock ticked away. In the next play Lo Celso took advantage of a rebound inside the area which flew past Bono.

Koundé equalised in the last play of the game

Julen Lopetegui’s team didn’t throw in the towel when it came to trying to rescue a point in injury time. In the last chance of the game, with every Sevilla player in the area, Koundé heroically scored the equaliser from a corner to take Sevilla closer to their aim. 

GAME SUMMARY

1. VILLARREAL CF: Rully, Juan Foyth, Albiol, Pau Torres, Estupiñán, Chukwueze, Capoué, Parejo, Coquelin, Lo Celso, Boulaye Dia. 

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Acuña, Diego Carlos, Koundé, Montiel (Jesús Navas, 74'), Rakitic (Gudelj, 59'), Delaney, Jordán (Óliver Torres, 84'), Papu Gómez, Tecatito (Lamela, 74'), En-Nesyri (Rafa Mir, 74').

GOALS: 1-0: Lo Celso, 85'. 1-1: Koundé, 95'.

REFEREE: Gil Manzano. Yellows for Chukwueze, Lo Celso and Capoue.