Match reports

2-2: SEVILLA FC COME FROM TWO GOALS DOWN TO DRAW AGAINST CELTA

22/01/2022

Papu Gómez and Óliver Torres scored in the second half after Celta went in front with goals from Cervi and Aspas

Sevilla FC picked up a point at home to RC Celta de Vigo in an entertaining affair at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Saturday evening. Based on the half-time scoreline, a point seems like a point gained for the hosts, but based on the spirited second-half performance, the fans may feel like the side came up just short as they had chances to win the match. Papu Gómez and Óliver Torres scored in quick succession to level the scores, after Cervi and Aspas had also scored in the space of just a few minutes to give Celta a two-goal lead at the interval. Óliver nearly added a second late on, but his effort struck the base of the post. The team remain unbeaten at home in the league this season, but they will come away from this feeling that they could well have taken all three points.

Sevilla suffered a hammer blow just before the break, as the side trailed 2-0 thanks to Celta's only two chances of the half, which came within the space of just three minutes. Cervi broke the deadlock when he fired home the rebound after Dmitrovic had denied Brais Méndez, and Aspas doubled their lead just a few minutes later after the hosts lost possession cheaply in their own half. The scoreline certainly flattered Celta, as their two-goal lead had come against the run of play. However, Sevilla were lacking in accuracy with their opportunities.

Sevilla FC failed to take advantage of their first-half chances, while Celta made the most of their two opportunities

It was clear that Sevilla FC could and should have led at the interval. They could well have been the side leading 2-0, or at least by just a goal, but they could not find a goal in the first 45 minutes. Tecatito, on his first start for the club, went close with a chance after a solo move on the left, but he could only drill his effort straight at Dituro. The team then had three opportunities to score in the space of a few seconds. Dituro was equal to the task when Ocampos took aim from outside the area, before Araujo was able to block Acuña's rebound. The ball then fell to Tecatito, but he fired over the bar.

With a bit more spirit, Pablo Sanz’s team went all-out after the half time break, starting with a triple change. This allowed Sevilla FC to trouble Dituro more often, while Coudet’s team tried to counterattack at every opportunity to quieten the home side. Diego Carlos made an incredible interception after a one-two between Aspas and Santi Mina. With the odds stacked against Sevilla, the team spirit was unbreakable and this began to pick up. Papu, with a great piece of individual brilliance, cut inside his defender and curled a powerful shot into the top corner and to the right of Dituro, as the crowd at the Sánchez-Pizjuán finally rose to their feet.

Óliver Torres nearly scored a second, but he headed against the post

Once again, this team dug deep and found an equaliser. Two minutes later, a cross from the left by the Acuña fell to Óliver Torres, who found himself free in the area, controlled the ball and stabbed the ball past as he was willed on by the home fans. The team were now truly in high spirits and there was still more than a quarter of an hour remaining to complete the comeback. Then, Óliver Torres, this time with his head, connected with the ball but unfortunately his header hit the left hand post of Dituro. Sevilla FC continued right to the end against a disciplined Celta but they couldn’t complete the comeback and in the end finished with a point, maintaining their unbeaten run at home.

MATCH SUMMARY

2. SEVILLA FC: Dmitrovic, Montiel, Rekik, Diego Carlos, Acuña, Fernando (Ó. Torres, 46'), Jordán (Luismi, 90'), Rakitic (Papu Gómez, 46), Ocampos, Tecatito (Gudelj, 71') and Rafa Mir (Iván Romero, 46').

2. RC CELTA: Dituro, Mallo, Aidoo (Murillo, 63'), Araujo, Javi Galán, Fran Beltrán, Bráis Méndez (Solari, 76'), Denis Suárez (Tapia, 63'), Cervi (Nolito, 63'), Santi Mina (Galhardo, 81') and Aspas.

GOALS: 0-1 Cervi, 37'. 0-2 Aspas, 39'. 1-2 Papu Gómez, 70'. 2-2 Ó.Torres, 73'.

REFEREE: Sánchez Martínez. Bookings for Cervi, Denis Suárez, Tapia and Murillo.