Sevilla FC celebrate their win against Standard Liege
Match reports

5-1: THE 5-TIME CHAMPIONS DON'T DISAPPOINT IN THEIR RETURN AND ROUT STANDARD

20/09/2018
Doubles from Banega and Ben Yedder and one from Vázquez completed Sevilla's rout. The Argentine managed to put Sevilla in the lead before the break in a game which could have become complicated, but Sevilla put Standard to the sword in the second-half

The match didn't start well, with a dubious foul from Amadou on Carcela right in the first minute which earned him the game's first yellow card. Fortunately, Vaclík saved the shot and almost immediately after Djenepo was cautioned for a foul on the edge of the box, with Banega putting the subsequent free kick just over. Sevilla wanted to dominate the game and in the next play, they found the back of the net, due to another foul on Carriço a couple steps back from the first free kick. Banega unleashed an unstoppable shot for Ochoa, which put Sevilla 1-0 after eight minutes. However, the positive atmosphere wouldn't last long. Just after Amadou picked up an injury, with a bad fall forcing him to leave the pitch. Roque came on to replace him.

Amadou could only play 15 minutes before being substituted off after picking an arm injury

Although they didn't push much, Standard slowly got back into the game, having more possession but without threatening Sevilla. The Nervionenses tried to find Navas on the wing again and again, but the winger couldn't receive in enough space. Ben Yedder was full of movement, while Promes was more fixed in his positioning. Midway through the first half, there was a double chance for Machín's team, with a shot from Roque Mesa and another from Vázquez after some good play. Roque was also booked, and the game looked to be more complicated six minutes from the break when Djenepo scored from a corner.

Fortunately, Standard weren't level for long, with Vázquez scoring from a shot that went in off the post. And if the Argentine's goal restored calm to the game, then the third goal did even more so. Scored by Wissam Ben Yedder, finishing off a great cross from Arana, who found himself in the right space yet again to put Sevilla further in front. The goal calmed the team, and they began to dominate the game.

The rout began after the break with Sevilla scoring three more goals

Sevilla knew that they had the game under control, however much Michel Preud'homme tried to change the game with Lestienne and Emond's introduction. They couldn't threaten a comfortable Sevilla who went on to control the game even more. Twenty minutes before the end, a good pass from Banega found Ben Yedder and the French striker completed his double with a cool finish past Ochoa. Only four minutes later, good skill from Vázquez in the box resulted in him being brought down and Sevilla winning a penalty, which Banega took to take his tally to two goals, his first double in Sevilla. This convincing victory from Sevilla is a warning to other competitors that they aren't prepared to give up their ambition to win their sixth Europa League. Sevilla go top in the group despite Krasnodar's victory in Turkey, with Krasnodar being Sevilla's next opponent in the Krasnodar Arena.

SUMMARY OF THE GAME

5 - SEVILLA FC: Vaclík; Carriço, Kjaer, Sergi Gómez; Jesús Navas (Nolito, 80'), Arana; Banega, Amadou (Roque Mesa, 15'), Franco Vázquez (Sarabia, 75'); Quincy Promes and Ben Yedder.

1 - STANDARD LIEGE: Ochoa; Cavanda, Luyindama, Laifis, Fai; Vanheusden; Cimirot, Djenepo (Lestienne, 62'), Marin, Orlando Sá (Emond, 62') y Carcela (Uche Agbo, 78').

GOALS: 1-0, 8': Banega; 1-1, 39': Djenepo; 2-1, 41': Franco Vázquez; 3-1, 49': Ben Yedder; 4-1, 71': Ben Yedder; 5-1, 74': Banega pen.

OFFICIAL: Gediminas Mažeika, Lithuanian. Yellows for Amadou, Roque Mesa, Kjaer and Djenepo.