A CRUEL DEFEAT AT THE DEATH (1-2)

We suffered their first defeat of the season in heartbreaking fashion. After a match which García Pimienta's side dominated, a stoppage-time goal from Ayoze condemned condemned us to defeat in the first home game of the season at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Lukébakio had equalized Danjuma's early goal in the final moments of the first half, but despite the team's effort an excellent performance from Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Conde denied us a share of the spoils. 

The game started in front of a packed Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, with over 34,000 Sevilla fans creating an excellent atmosphere. However, Villarreal scored with a little over a minute on the clock as Danjuma made no mistake one-on-one with Nyland after an inch-perfect through ball from Baena. Nyland then had to be alert minutes later as he made a crucial save one-on-one to deny Pepé.

After Villarreal’s early pressure, García Pimienta's team began to respond. Juanlu nearly equalised with a great finish following an assist from Isaac, but the goal was ruled out for offside. We continued to press, pinning Villarreal back in their own half. Isaac came close with two efforts on goal, but Conde was equal to the task, making crucial saves to keep Villarreal in the lead.

Lukébakio equalised on the stroke of half time with a magnificent half volley 

García Pimienta's high-pressing strategy began to take effect as the team gained confidence and were consistently threatening the Villarreal goal. After the hydration break midway through the first half, Pedrosa fired a volley from the edge of the area, and Saúl, making a run from deep, unleashed a shot that narrowly missed the target. In added time, Danjuma thought he had doubled Villarreal's lead, but his goal was correctly ruled out for offside. Almost immediately after, Lukébakio scored an incredible half-volley on the stroke of half-time to equalise. 

After the first 15 minutes of the second half, with both teams evenly matched, Diego Conde made a miraculous save with his face to deny Isaac from point-blank range. Saúl then rattled the crossbar with a free-kick during our best spell of the match. Villarreal’s first real threat of the half came when Comesaña beat Nyland, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside—the third such decision of the game. In the closing stages, Saúl, who had started the match, was joined by debutants Ejuke and Iheanacho as we pushed forward in search of a winner. In stoppage time, Conde once again came to Villarreal's rescue with a crucial save to keep out Iheanacho an deny the Nigerian a debut goal. Just when it seemed destined for a draw, Ayoze struck late to seal the win for the visitors.

MATCH DETAILS 

1. SEVILLA FC: Nyland, Pedrosa, Kike Salas (Marcao, 77'), Badé, Pedrosa, Agoumé, Juanlu (Sow, 70'), Saúl, Lukébakio (Ejuke, 70'), L. Ocampos (J. Navas, 86') and Isaac Romero (Iheanacho, 76').

2. VILLARREAL CF: Conde, Cardona, Bailly (Albiol, 83'), Kambwala, Kiko Femenía, Baena, Comesaña (Parejo, 72'), Gueye, Akhomach (Yeremy, 72'), Danjuma (Ayoze, 64'), Pepé (Barry, 64').

GOALS: 0-1: Danjuma,1'. 1-1: Lukébakio, 45+6'. 1-2: Ayoze, 96'.

REFEREE: Díaz de Mera. Yellow cards for Isaac, Baena, Danjuma, Carmona, Marcao, Bailly, Parejo and Ayoze.