Match reports

1-1: BONO'S 102ND MINUTE PENALTY STOP SAVES SEVILLA FROM AN UNDESERVED DEFEAT

18/10/2022

The Moroccan tipped Gayá's spot kick round the post just after Sevilla's best spell of the clash

The points were shared at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in a game where both sides shared the limelight. The first half, in which Valencia CF dominated, gave way to a second half where Sevilla found themselves on top, although they were left waiting a while to get the equalizer after Cavani scored for the visitors.

Lamela, after a period of extended pressure from the home side, managed to bring the match back to level terms, which was how it would end despite Sampaoli's men's determination to get the winner and, above all, thanks to Bono, who saved a Valencia penalty in the final minutes of added time. The low points of the night were Kike Salas' red card and Nianzou's substitution through injury.

It was a disappointing first half for the home side, where Sevilla FC saw the team from Valencia take an early lead. Cavani, in the sixth minute, took advantage of a good cross from the right by Foulquier and headed past Bono, thus disrupting Sampaoli's plans for the match. He made his first sub just after the half-hour mark, as José Ángel made way for Jesús Navas.

Rafa Mir had the best chance of the first half when he let loose with an accurate shot that forced Mamardashvili into action, but the goalkeeper managed to keep Sevilla at bay despite their chances, leaving the Sevilla side to draw blanks in the first half despite having a good few chances.

Rafa Mir had our only two chances of the first half, while Ilaix and Lino could have doubled Valencia's lead

But Sevilla FC were, despite the odd chance, trailing Valencia CF throughout the first half, who dominated them with their press and came at them quickly, with great danger, when they lost the ball. Ilaix Moriba could have extended the visitors' lead on two occasions, both from corners, but fortunately, his solo efforts failed to find the target.

Bono was also forced to make a good challenge on Lino when he lost the ball, giving the loanee from Atlético a chance one-on-one. The home side, despite their efforts, were unable to find a way to cause Gattuso's men any damage.

Sampaoli made a double change at half time, bringing on Delaney and Lamela for Acuña and Montiel, as he looked for more legs in the middle. Rafa Mir did convert in the 60th minute, but he was narrowly offside as Lamela slipped the ball through.

During that passage of play, Nianzou picked up an injury, and had to be replaced by Kike Salas. Gudelj then tried to repeat what he had done on Saturday with another long-range strike, but this time Mamardashvili tipped it wide for a corner. Lamela then had his first chance of the match, but his far-post effort was blocked.

Gudelj's header midway through the second half hit the bar

Sevilla began to get the upper hand of the clash and took the game to the visitors. Gudelj hit the bar with a header from Lamela's corner, before Papu Gómez fired into the sidenetting moments later. Rakitic was then introduced as the hosts piled on the pressure, but the goal seemingly was not forthcoming.

Sevilla's efforts eventually paid off, with Lamela equalising in the 86th minute. The ball fell to the Argentine in the area after Kike Salas had won a flick-on from Óliver's corner, and he powerfully volleyed home.

The fans pushed the team on for an equaliser, which very nearly came just two minutes later when Rafa Mir struck agonisingly wide. It was all Sevilla, with a succession of corners and attacks.

However, amongst the chaos, Valencia got one counter attack and very nearly snatched an undeserved three points. Marcos Andre stole the ball off Navas and went clean through on goal. He was brought down by Papu Gómez, who was initially dismissed. However, play had continued, and, after consulting with VAR, Soto Grado downgraded the red to a yellow, before awarding a penalty to Valencia after deeming Kike Salas to have fouled a Valencia player just moments after Papu's tackle. The youngster was then dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Around five minutes after the foul had happened, Gayá stepped up for Valencia. He dispatched his 102nd minute spot kick towards the bottom corner, but Bono was at full stretch to tip his strike round the post. That save was enough for the team to come away with a point after a dramatic finale.

MATCH SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, José Ángel (Jesús Navas, 30'), Nianzou (Kike Salas, 57'), Acuña (Delaney, 46'), Montiel (Lamela, 46'), Telles, Gudelj, Papu Gómez, Ó. Torres, Isco (Rakitic, 69') and Rafa Mir.

1. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier (Nico González, 71'), Diakhaby, Cömert, Gayá, Guillamón, Musah (Almeida, 74'), Ilaix Moriba (Paulista, 74'), Correia, Lino (Kluivert, 62') and Cavani (Marcos André, 62').

GOALS: Cavani, 5'. 1-1 Lamela, 86'.

REFEREE: Soto Grado. Bookings for Lino, Foulquier, Delaney, Nico Gónzalez, Kluivert, Rakitic, Diakhaby, and Gayá. Kike Salas was dismissed for two bookable offenses.