Match reports

2-1: A HEROIC WIN AGAINST ATLETI

18/12/2021

Ocampos, who was stretchered off after a head injury in added time, sparked scenes of jubilation with his 89th minute winner

Sevilla FC never surrender. Julen Lopetegui's team will never give up. That's the DNA of this club. If we fall down, we get right back up. Once, twice, or however many times are necessary. We did so tonight at home against Atlético Madrid. With the score, injuries, Atleti's fouls against us... we always fought back. Ocampos, who scored the most dramatic of winners at the death, had to go off after a blow to the head. We stay second in the table and win three points against a direct rival for the Champions League spots in a magic night, one of so many, at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Sevilla started the match better than Atleti but threw away their good work with a corner that Felipe headed in. That was the equaliser after Rakitić scored a simply incredible opener. The Croatian, well outside the box, fired in a thunderous strike into Oblak's top left corner. That came in minute 7, a just reward for the dominant start to the game against Simeone's side who could only foul the Sevilla players, without receiving any cautions.

Felipe scored a header to cancel out Rakitić's winner - Atleti's only chance in the first half

Atleti began to gain some control over the game when Montiel came off injured. The team was shuffled about with Koundé at right-back and Gudelj alongside Diego Carlos. Atleti would equalise with their only chance of the half. Lemar shot from the edge of the box, forcing Bono to push it wide for a corner. At the subsequent corner, Felipe rose highest and headed the ball in to have the match go into half time at 1-1.

The second half began with Carrasco going close within a minute, but Diego Carlos was on hand to block the shot. Rakitic went close to adding his second after Rekik did wonderfully well to win the ball off Trippier on the byline, but the Croat could only find the side-netting. At this point, it was a dynamic affair, with both sides gunning for a goal. With the team finding joy on the wings, Lopetegui made changes, bringing on Acuña and pushing Gudelj into midfield. The match began to become quite frenetic, and Sevilla were on the receiving end of the first yellow cards, while Koke walked off the pitch without once. Joao Félix had a gilt-edged chance in the 80th minute, receiving the ball from Cunha in the six-yard box, but the Sevilla defence was on hand to clear.

Ocampos sent the crowd wild with a late winner

Within half an hour of coming on, Acuña was forced off after feeling another knock, and was replaced by Augustinsson, while Munir was also introduced. Sevilla FC tried to find a winner down the right-hand side via Koundé, playing as if he were Jesús Navas or Montiel, but none of those moves resulted in a shot, they could only force corners. However, that's where the winner came from. Delaney rose highest but his effort came crashing back off the crossbar, but Ocampos hammered home the rebound to spark wild scenes at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Unfortunately for the Argentine hero, he was stretchered off deep into added time after suffering a blow to the head. Despite a Joao Félix shot heading just over the bar late on, Sevilla FC, who were up against everything and everyone, held on for a massive three points and picked up yet another win at home in the league.

MATCH SUMMARY

2. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Montiel (Rekik, 28'), Koundé, Diego Carlos, Rekik, Delaney, Jordán (Acuña, 54' (Augustinsson, 84')), Rakitic, Ocampos, Papu Gómez (Munir, 84') and Iván Romero (Rafa Mir, minuto 54).

1. ATLÉTICO DE MADRID: Oblak, Felipe, Kondogbia, Hermoso, Koke, Lemar, Llorente (De Paul, 40'), Trippier, Carrasco, Correa (Joao Félix, 46') and Luis Suárez (Cunha, 57').

GOALS: 1-0 Rakitic, 7'. 1-1 Felipe, 33'. 2-1 Ocampos, 89'.

REFEREE: De Burgos Bengoetxea. Bookings for Rekik, Papu Gómez and Cunha.