Sevilla FC celebrate a goal against Akhisarspor
Match reports

6-0: A HISTORIC ROUT TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE GROUP

25/10/2018
Sevilla picked up their 100th win in European competitions this Thursday night against Akhisarspor. Roque Mesa, Sarabia, Lukac (OG), Muriel, Promes and Mercado got on the scoresheet, upping the pressure on Krasnodar

A perfect night for Sevilla FC against Akhisarspor, who have suffered Sevilla's biggest win in European competitions, on the night when Sevilla played their 100th game in such competitions. The result was basically sealed from the off with two rapid goals, allowing Sevilla to save some energy in the second-half. Furthermore, with Standard Liege's win, we move to first place in the group, although Standard, third in the group, are level on points with the Nervionenses.

In the run-up to the game, Pablo Machín said, although accepting that Akhisarspor were not the most feared team in the group, that any over-confidence could be costly. The most important thing was to start strongly and make use of the chances to make sure that the game didn't become complicated. Sevilla listened, scoring with their some of their first chances to effectively seal the game. Pushing high up the pitch and forcing the Turkish team to focus on defending, the first chance came in the third minute, with Promes putting it wide. The Dutch winger put in a good performance, showing great movement and who would end up being rewarded with his first Sevilla goal. However, before Promes, it was Roque Mesa's turn to score, who instinctively fired a shot from range into the top corner.

Everything was already in control by the ninth minute with Roque Mesa and Sarabia's goals

Only seven minutes had passed and things were already looking good, but this was only the start. With the crowd still celebrating the Canarian's goal, Aleix Vidal's run into the box forced Miguel Lopes to bring him down and concede a penalty. With nine minutes on the clock, Sarabia stepped up and slotted the penalty in. The match had barely begun and it felt like our work had already been done, at least from the stands. And it was also noted on the pitch, as Sevilla slowed down, allowing some chances for the Turkish team. The game had become quiet and only came back into life ten minutes before the break and the third goal of the night with Quincy Promes' acrobatic effort which ended up going in off the goalkeeper.

 

UEFA ended up giving the goal to the goalkeeper as an own goal denying the Dutch international what would have been a very special first goal, but there was still another moment of joy to come in the match for the forward. Machín chose not to make any changes to start the second half and it was not long before the fourth goal arrived. This time it was Muriel, another player who was handed a starting spot for this game, whose long-range effort took a deflection off a defender, leaving the goalkeeper helpless. Naturally, Sevilla were able to play with breathing room from that point and the manager soon turned to the bench to freshen things up. Nolito was brought on for Jesús Navas in a double change in which Arana also came on for Sarabia. Barely five minutes later, knowing that the game was all but wrapped up, the Soria-born manager used up his final substitution, allowing Amadou to return from his injury in place of Carriço who was able to get some more rest ahead of Sunday’s match.

This 6-0 is Sevilla’s biggest victory in Europe in their 100th game in continental competitions

Even with these changes the scoreline kept getting better for Sevilla. Even if luck was not on Promes’ side with regards to the awarding of the goal, he would have his moment on the hour mark. After great build-up play down the left-hand side by Vázquez and Arana’s cut-back, Promes controlled the ball and calmly slotted the ball into the corner. This was not the end of the goals however, as Mercado got in on the act, finishing well at the far-post after Lukac had misjudged a corner. With more than twenty minutes still left to play Sevilla decided to settle for the 6-0, which was already a record score and sent them to the top of their group.

Krasnodar, who had won all their matches up to today, were unexpectedly defeated at the death in Belgium, causing three teams to be tied at the top of the group with six points, but with Sevilla slightly ahead thanks to their superior goal difference. The team will next visit Turkey in the Europa League on 8 November at 18:55, but before that Huesca will visit Nervión this Sunday at 20:45 CEST.

MATCH SUMMARY

6. SEVILLA FC: Vaclík, Mercado, Carriço (Amadou, 59’), Sergi Gómez, Jesús Navas (Nolito, 54’), Sarabia (Arana, 54’), Roque Mesa, Franco Vázquez, Aleix Vidal, Muriel and Promes.

0. AKHISAR BELEDIYESPOR: Lukac, Miguel Lopes, Osmanpasa, Nounkeu, Keles (Helder Barbosa, 46’), Çeviker, Sissoko, Josué (Ataseven, 77’), Regattin, Seleznyov (Onur Ayık, 63’) and Vural.

GOALS: 1-0, 7’: Roque Mesa; 2-0, 9’: Sarabia; 3-0, 35’: Lukac o.g.; 4-0: Muriel, 50’; 5-0, 60’: Quincy Promes; 6-0, 66’: Mercado.

REFEREE: Kevin Clancy, Scotland. Yellow card for Miguel Lopes.