0-1: RAKITIC SCORES THE ONLY GOAL OF THE GAME AGAINST BENFICA IN FARO

Sevilla FC picked up their first win in their mid-season friendlies, coming out on top 1-0 against Portuguese league leaders SL Benfica at the Estadio Algarve in Faro. 

After both sides had chances in the first half, Ivan Rakitic scored the winner on the hour mark, curling a left-footed effort into the far top corner.

As he did against Monaco on Wednesday, Sampaoli decided to finish the match with ten outfield academy players and Dmitrovic in goal, and again they performed to secure a result. 

It was a lively first half in Portugal, with Benfica playing with pace and Sevilla looking to cause problems in spaces, but they were maybe lacking in determination in the final third.

It was Sevilla who had the first chance from a set piece, but Nianzou headed narrowly wide. Dmitrovic was then called into action as he denied Musa's effort from distance. Gudelj then went closer when his trademark long-range strike was saved by Helton, with his face.

Rafa Mir fired wide after he met Óliver's cross at the far post, but it was Benfica who had the most clear-cut chance of the half just before the 45th minute. Rafa got the better of a number of Sevilla players and found himself one-on-one with Dmitrovic, who got a hand to it, before Rekik cleared off the line. 

The last chance of the half, with the last kick, fell to Jordán, but his strike rolled just wide after a good pass from Jesús Navas. 

Benfica came out after the interval with eleven changes, while Sevilla had only made one change in the first half, with Carlos Álvarez replacing Suso, who had picked up a knock. 

Sevilla appeared to be more comfortable on the ball after the break, but with significantly fewer chances. However, they took full advantage of their first chance.

Rekik picked up a loose ball in the area after a Navas cross, and laid it off perfectly for Rakitic who placed it into the far top corner. 

Sampaoli then brought on the academy players with 20 minutes of normal time remaining, who put in a solid performance to keep a clean sheet, even as tensions started to rise as the full-time whistle approached.

Pinho had Benfica's only big chance of the half, but Dmitrovic again came out on top in the one-on-one, while Hormigo nearly doubled our advantage with a 90th minute header.

So, a win and a draw in our two mid-season friendlies. The team keep preparing for our next official match, against Juventud de Torremolinos CF in the Copa del Rey on 21st December.