Match reports

1-1 (0-1): A SUDDEN-DEATH SHOOT-OUT WIN IN DETROIT AGAINST CRYSTAL PALACE

31/07/2023

Rakitic's first-half goal was cancelled out by Eze before Gudelj was dismissed for a second yellow. The team then came out on top in a one-penalty sudden-death shoot-out

Sevilla FC got off to a winning start on their tour of the USA and Mexico with a sudden-death penalty shoot-out win against Premier League side Crystal Palace at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Rakitic gave us the lead just before the interval with an impressive strike, but the South London outfit fought back through an Eze equaliser with fifteen minutes remaining. To make matters worse, Gudelj was dismissed a few minutes later for a second bookable offence.

However, with the match ending 1-1, the clash went to a sudden-death penalty shoot-out. Rakitic smashed his effort past Johnstone, before Andersen hit the bar with his penalty.

Sevilla got off to a bright start, with Ocampos hitting the woodwork inside two minutes. Gattoni then went close from a corner after a quarter of an hour.

Crystal Palace, however, grew into the game and had a whole host of chances, with Bono keeping the English side at bay. He made a strong save from Ayew, before again being called into action to deny Eze from distance and Schlupp's rebound.

Rakitic opened the scoring with a quality strike

The deadlock would be broken just before half time. Crystal Palace managed to clear a corner from Suso, but the ball fell to Rakitic, who struck the ball sweetly on the half-volley into the far corner.

Idrissi went close to doubling the lead after the interval, but he could only find the side-netting, while Ward nearly found an equaliser on the hour mark.

The equaliser did come with fifteen minutes remaining, as Eze beat three Sevilla players and fired the ball below Dmitrovic. Five minutes later, Gudelj was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Despite a flurry of late chances for Palace, the match ended as a draw and went to a sudden-death penalty shoot-out, which was decided after one penalty for each team. Rakitic fired his effort powerfully into the corner, before the team came out on top after Andersen's effort hit the bar.

Next up for Sevilla is a trip to Guadalajara for a Gran Derbi match on Thursday at 05:00 CEST.

MATCH SUMMARY

1. CRYSTAL PALACE FC: Johnston, Ward, Andersen, Guéhi, Clyne, Doucouré, Lerma, Ayew, Eze, Schlupp and Edouard.

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Gudelj, Gattoni, Acuña, Joan Jordán, Rakitic, Suso, Ocampos, Idrissi and Iván Romero. Dmitrovic, Rafa Mir, Óscar Rodríguez, Juanlu, En-Nesyri and Kike Salas all came off the bench.

GOALS: 0-1, min. 44: Rakitic; ; 1-1, min. 75: Eze.

PENALTIES: 0-1, Rakitic; 0-1, Andersen (miss).

REFEREE: Natalie Simon. Bookings for Rakitic and Andersen. Two yellow cards for Gudelj (min. 80).