Match reports

0-2: THROUGH TO THE NEXT ROUND WITH A DOMINANT PERFORMANCE

13/11/2022

Nianzou and Rafa Mir scored either side of half time

Sevilla FC have progressed to the Second Round of the Copa del Rey after a 2-0 win against Velarde CF in Cantabria.

Sampaoli's side completely dominated the match, barely allowing the hosts to cross the halfway line. The margin of victory should have been greater, with the team creating countless chances, but Manrique put in an inspired performance for Velarde. As for Dmitrovic, he was never called into action.

Nianzou opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, before Rafa Mir killed the tie off in the 90th minute. Aside from the result, there was good news with the return of Fernando, after missing the last twelve matches through injury.

The cup tie was dominated from start to finish by Sevilla, but it took half an hour for them to get the better of Velarde goalkeeper Manrique. Nianzou bagged his second of the season with a header from an Óliver Torres cross.

Rakitic and Jordán went close from outside the area, while Isco and Óliver had chances to score, but the team were only a goal to the good at the break.

En-Nesyri had a header cleared off the line

The dominance continued after the break, with Sampaoli's side firmly in the opposing half. En-Nesyri had a huge chance just after the break, but Solano cleared his header off the line. Isco's effort from distance was then well saved by Manrique.

Velarde kept trying to break forward and find a chance to equalise, but they simply could not get out of their half. In the 73rd minute, Fernando made his long-awaited return from injury, as he had not featured since the draw against Villarreal in September.

The hosts did manage a first shot in the 80th minute, but it went well over the bar, before a powerful effort from Januzaj went wide.

After a top performance, Manrique had to be substituted in the 84th minute after taking a knock from Lamela. The second goal followed in the last minute of normal time, with Rafa Mir volleying home a Jesús Navas cross to secure our place in the Second Round draw on Wednesday afternoon.

MATCH SUMMARY

0. VELARDE CF: Manrique (Rubén Ortiz, 84'), Solano, Miki (Santi Gómez, 75'), Sergio, Saldaña, Jorge, Borja, Joako, Lolo (Jaime, 75'), Ndiogou (Beni, 54') and Güemes.

2. SEVILLA FC: Dmitrovic, Montiel (Jesús Navas, 59'), Nianzou, Gudelj, Kike Salas, Jordán, Rakitic (Fernando, 73'), Isco (Januzaj, 59'), Ó. Torres, Suso (Lamela, 73') and En-Nesyri (Rafa Mir, 54').

GOALS: 0-1 Nianzou, 30'. Rafa Mir, 90'.

REFEREE: Muñiz Ruiz. No bookings.