3-1: A POOR FIRST HALF CUTS THE CUP RUN SHORT

30/01/2020

Sevilla FC paid for a poor first half against CD Mirandés and were knocked out of the Copa del Rey. Matheus scored a brace before Álvaro Rey killed off Sevilla. Nolito scored a consolation goal in added time.

Hammer blow for Sevilla FC in the Copa del Rey. Julen Lopetegui's side were knocked out after a night to forget at the Anduva. Sevilla did not respond well to a poor first half, despite a triple change at half time. A much-needed goal was not forthcoming, and the home side killed the tie off on the counter. Nolito did pull one back, but it came with seconds left of added time.

Sevilla got off to an unwanted and unexpected start. Mirandés came out all guns blazing and took advantage of a slower than normal Sevilla side. The early pressure paid off inside just seven minutes. Gudelj lost the ball, which found its way to Matheus, who beat Koundé and fired beyond Vaclík. It was a real blow, but there were 83 minutes remaining, and Banega had a big chance to equalise a couple of minutes later, but his shot from close range went wide.

Mirandés scored with their first two chances and secured progression

Mirandés did not see much of the ball and hardly got forward, but took advantage of another mistake to score against the run of play. Matheus picked up on a loose ball from Banega and took an effort from distance, which deflected off Gudelj and left Vaclík beaten. Only thirty minutes in, and then came the most challenging spell of the game for Sevilla. Matheus nearly had a hat-trick but Vaclík tipped his heel-flick wide. Álvaro Rey also tested the keeper with a low drive.

Lopetegui made three changes at half time, bringing on Jordán, Ocampos and En-Nesyri. Sevilla looked like they had responded to the half-time team-talk, as they came out of the blocks at pace, and had three early chances to pull one back. However, VAR awarded Mirandés a penalty for a foul by Diego Carlos, but Vaclík made a big save to deny Álvaro Peña's strike.

Vaclík saved a penalty but Sevilla could not pull one back

The match then became more even, with Sevilla pushing for a goal and Mirandés breaking forward and causing danger. Ocampos nearly scored on the hour mark but Limones pushed his powerful effort away. Mirandés then began to drop back, but Sevilla were not capable of causing any real danger. En-Nesyri had the biggest chance to make it 2-1 but his volley went a long way over the crossbar.

Tiredness then began to kick in, and Mirandés then killed the game off. Álvaro Rey went clean through on goal and placed the ball beyond Vaclík, sending the Mirandés fans into delirium. A tough night for Sevilla, who scored a consolation goal in added time from Nolito. Too little, too late for Sevilla as they bow out of the cup. Time to focus on LaLiga and the UEFA Europa League, which is just around the corner.

MATCH STATS

3. CD MIRANDÉS: Limones, Sergio, Odei, Álvaro Peña (Guridi, 64'), Matheus (Marcos André, 75'), Álvaro Rey, Merquelanz, Marsa, González, Franquesa and Antonio Sánchez.

1. SEVILLA FC: Vaclík, Jesús Navas, Koundé (Joan Jordán, 46'), Diego Carlos, Escudero, Gudelj, Banega (Ocampos, 46'), Óliver Torres, Munir (En-Nesyri, 46'), Nolito and De Jong.

GOLES: 1-0, 7': Matheus; 2-0, 30': Matheus; 3-0, 85': Álvaro Rey; 3-1, 90+1'.

ARBITRAJE: Santiago Jaime Latre, from Aragon. Yellow cards for González, Antonio Sánchez, Sergio, Munir, Diego Carlos, Escudero, Nolito, and for managers Andoni Iraola and Julen Lopetegui.