A 7-0 WIN OVER VOLENDAM IN THE LAST MID-SEASON FRIENDLY

Sevilla FC rounded off their mid-season break with a 7-0 win over Eredivisie outfit FC Volendam at the Estadio Jesús Navas.

The outcome was decided long before the final whistle, with the Nervionenses going into the break with a five-goal advantage.

Gudelj and Rafa Mir both scored twice in the first half, while Carlos Álvarez also got on the scoresheet with a superb goal. Nacho Quintana then added two goals in the final few minutes.

Sampaoli's side took control of the match immediately and never lost it, scoring with their first chance. Óliver's cross from the right-hand side was met by Gudelj, who placed the ball into the far corner for the opening goal after six minutes.

The second goal came around fifteen minutes later, when good link-up play between Carlos Álvarez and Rafa Mir released the striker, who fired past Stankovic.

Volendam did have chances, however, with Alberto Flores making a top save to deny Bilal Olud-Chikh, while Muhren missed a big opportunity to level the scores before Rafa Mir's first.

The Dutch side paid dearly for failing to convert, as Sevilla scored three goals in a four-minute spell just before the break.

Carlos Álvarez was first up, cutting in from the right-hand side and placing a superb effort into the far corner, with the ball going in via the post. 

Three minutes later, the Óliver-Gudelj combination was on display again, as the Serbian converted the cross for his second of the night. Barely sixty seconds later, Óliver got his third assist of the night, as he won the ball back and crossed perfectly for Rafa Mir, who headed home for his second as well. Five goals up at half time.

Fernando and Carlos Álvarez were withdrawn at the interval, with Pedro Ortiz and Nacho Quintana coming on. 

Ivan Rakitic nearly made it six with a long-range effort, while Stankovic would deny Rafa Mir a hat-trick when he went clean through on goal.

Óliver thought he had added a sixth just after the hour mark, but it was ruled out for an offside call against Jesús Navas, who provided the cross for the midfielder.

As the pace of the match slowed, Volendam had some half-chances but were unable to convert them.

Sevilla deserved a second half goal, but they had to wait until the 85th minute for it to surface. Rakitic's cross from the byline found Nacho Quintana at the near post, who easily slotted home. It was his goal with the last kick of the game that caught the eye, however, as he picked up Manu Bueno's pass and fired the ball into the corner. 

A top performance to round off the World Cup break, and all attentions now turn to Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash in Torremolinos.