Match reports

1-4: A ROUT TO KICK-OFF THE LEAGUE CAMPAIGN

19/08/2018
An impressive victory for Pablo Machín's Sevilla tonight in Madrid. Performing with dominance for 90 minutes, an André Silva hat-trick would guide the Nervionenses to an impressive first league-outing. After Vázquez broke the deadlock in the first-half, Silva would come into his own to make a dream La Liga debut. Rayo's late penalty would prove only a consolation

Sevilla FC roared to a convincing start to their 2018/19 La Liga campaign this Sunday evening, hammering newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano 1-4 in Madrid. In an assured performance, André Silva was the star of the show, scoring an incredible hat-trick on his La Liga debut after Mudo Vázquez opened the scoring on quarter of an hour. Outperforming the hosts from the outset, Pablo Machín’s side looked comfortable throughout, seeing the fixture out professionally in the second-half – Rayo’s late penalty proving only a consolation. Throwing the gauntlet down in dramatic fashion, Sevilla pick up their first points of the season at the first time of asking, building momentum for the first-leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday.

Drama seemed inevitable from the very start, though early omens would have suggested that Sevilla were in for a rough night. With less than five minutes on the clock, Rayo already had the ball in the back of the net but would have their chipped-strike chalked off thanks to the offside flag of the linesman. Sevilla would respond to the early scare – finding the back of Rayo’s net only four minutes later; remarkably they would suffer the same fate – Sarabia this time called offside after finding a way through. Thankfully, the Nervionenses wouldn’t have to wait long to find a goal that would count. Following a lethal break high in Rayo’s half, Franco Vázquez would flick in magnificently to break the deadlock.

A magnificent flick from Franco Vázquez would give Sevilla an early advantage

With Sevilla ahead, Machín’s men would come into their own – countering with pace at any opportunity and looking threatening at all turns. With half an hour played, Escudero linked up with Silva to give Sevilla their reward. A lovely cross through to the new signing found the Portuguese wonderkid's feet - from there, Silva would show his deft touch, composure and clinical finishing skills to find a way past Alberto. A first goal in Spanish football for Silva.

Just under fifteen minutes later, and just as it looked as though Sevilla would head into the changing rooms with a two-goal cushion, Silva was at it again, guaranteeing a debut brace and finding a third goal for the Nervionenses before half-time. Banega's corner would be flicked on by Kjaer and hit Mercado, leaving the ball to fall kindly for the striker - who was there to apply a poacher's finish. A perfect first-half for Sevilla, whose gameplan seemed to be restricting Rayo and creating chances simultaneously. Come the second-half, frantic pace would give way to wily game management, with the visitors taking a more patient approach.

With Rayo finding more of the ball, Sevilla would have to show their defensive organisation to deny the hosts a way back into the game. Kakuta would prove a lively threat, though Rayo still struggled to trouble Tomas Vaclík in the Sevilla net. Machín, perhaps with Thursday's European fixture in mind, looked to the bench for fresh legs - introducing Aleix Vidal for an on-form Sergio Escudero. Amadou would come next, replacing midfield talisman Éver Banega. Sarabia would have the chance to make it four in-between, flicking the ball towards goal after a dangerous cross (much like Vázquez in the first-half), though a smart save would deny the winger. Nonetheless, there was still drama to unfold. After tireless searching, André Silva would be rewarded for a fine night's work, scoring his third goal of the evening after a magical ball from Vázquez and a VAR check after he had powered home. Though Rayo would find the net late in the game thanks to a penalty, this would only prove a consolation. 

A hat-trick would guarantee an unforgettable La Liga debut for André Silva

An incredible start to La Liga and an incredible result in Madrid. Sevilla will not have the luxury of overdrawn celebrations, with the first-leg of a Europa League playoff fast-approaching and a first league game at the Sánchez-Pizjuán on the horizon next weekend. Nevertheless, Machín's men will be sure to carry tonight's momentum with them into the mid-week clash and, should all go according to plan, into their fixture with Villarreal next week. Until then, the Nervionenses can feel proud of their first La Liga outing. 

MATCH SUMMARY

1. RAYO VALLECANO CF: Alberto García; Tito, Ba, Dorado, Álex Moreno; Amat, Medrán (Javi Guerra, 69), Pozo (Advíncula, 76); Embarba, Kakuta, Trejo.

4. SEVILLA FC: Vaclík; Mercado, Kjaer, Escudero (Aleix Vidal, minuto 61); Jesús Navas, Escudero; Roque Mesa, Banega (Amadou, 70); Sarabia (Muriel, 77), Franco Vázquez, André Silva.

GOALS: 0-1, minute 15: Franco Vázquez. 0-2, minute 31: André Silva. 0-3, minute 45+1: André Silva. 0-4, minute 79: André Silva. 1-4, minute 85: Embarba pen.