En-Nesyri scores the opener against Elche

2-0: AN IMPORTANT WIN AGAINST ELCHE IN THE RACE FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION

17/03/2021
En-Nesyri broke the deadlock with a first-half header before Franco Vázquez sealed the win late on with a backheel

Sevilla FC have made it six from six in a crucial 72-hour spell to move nine points clear in the race for Champions League qualification. Although Escribá's Elche had taken the points in the reverse fixture just eleven days ago at the Martínez Valero, Sevilla were the dominant side in today's match and secured a 2-0 win despite a number of absent players. En-Nesyri's brilliant header and a sublime backheel from Mudo Vázquez late on were enough for the win, which could well have been compromised in the final few minutes as the side appeared fatigued. The team are now nine points clear of fifth-placed Real Sociedad with just one match before the international break. 

Julen Lopetegui was forced into four changes to the side that won in El Gran Derbi on Sunday night. With Diego Carlos and Joan Jordán unavailable due to suspension, and Fernando and Ocampos out due to knocks, the Basque manager also opted to bring in Óscar Rodríguez for Papú Gómez on the left-hand side. Despite the changes, the start of the match was very similar to the derby, with Sevilla looking to keep hold of the ball but without really causing either Elche or Badía any problems. In fact, a low drive from Suso on the half-hour mark, which went just past the post, was the hosts' first chance. Elche had also tried to open the scoring, but the Sevilla backline did not allow them to have any chances. 

En-Nesyri scored the opener with a superb header

It was not a very attractive match for the spectators, and it was time for a moment of real quality to break the deadlock, which is exactly what the Nervionenses did. One cross was all it took. Just before the interval, Navas laid the ball off for Suso, who played a superb ball into the box looking for En-Nesyri. The Moroccan got between the centre halves and perfectly headed the ball beyond Badía, before suffering a blow which did not allow him to celebrate the goal. With no time for anything else, the Blanquirrojos headed into the break with a one-goal lead. 

Sevilla showed more quality in attack at the start of the second half, to the point that they could have sealed the win very early on in the half. Óscar went close just two minutes after the restart, with a shot from the corner of the area which Badía had to tip round the post for a corner. Staight after that chance, En-Nesyri went close with a header at the far post which went narrowly wide. The Moroccan tried again with a header on the hour mark, but his effort, from a Navas cross, missed the target. Elche were still alive because of those misses, and Raúl Guti nearly took full advantage, but his shot went straight at the keeper. 

Elche pressed against a tired Sevilla side, but Mudo wrapped up the win in style

Lopetegui made his first chance just after, taking off Óscar Rodríguez for Munir, whose first involvement in the game was trying to score with a clever backheel from a En-Nesyri cross. Edgar Badia was on hand to thwart it as Sevilla continued to hover around the all-important second goal. However, the hosts did not get their goal, and the feel of the match changed, as Elche looked to find an equaliser. The debutant Piatti had the best two chances, but Bono was equal to the task, before Lopetegui made attacking changes. One of those was Mudo Vázquez, who made a long-awaited return to the side, and he then scored one of the goals of the season. After starting the move off with a ball to Óliver on the left, the Argentine received the ball on the penalty spot and simply rolled it home, through a player's legs. A wonderful goal which sealed the win. Papu could have added the icing on the cake in added time, but the job was already done. 

A sweet ending to a match after an intense three days, which has brought the team's inconsistent run to an end after their exit from both cup competitions. Ahead of Saturday's trip to the Estadio José Zorrilla to face Valladolid, the Blanquirrojos will go into the international break with a strong advantage over fifth-placed Real Sociedad. This is with just eleven games remaining, with all 20 teams now having played the same number of matches. 
 

MATCH SUMMARY

2. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Sergi Gómez, Acuña (Papu Gómez, 88'), Gudelj, Rakitic, Óliver Torres, Suso (Rekik, 78'), Óscar Rodríguez (Munir, 62' [Franco Vázquez, minuto 87]) and En-Nesyri (De Jong, 87').

0. ELCHE CF: Badía, Palacios, Verdú, Dani Calvo, Josema (Mojica, 77'), Marcone, Raúl Guti (Víctor, 85'), Josan (Pere Milla, 69'), Fidel (Piatti, 77'), Lucas Boyé and Carrillo (Tete Morente, 69').

GOALS: 1-0, 43': En-Nesyri; 2-0, 90': Franco Vázquez.

REFEREE: Javier Alberola Rojas. Bookings for Sergi Gómez, Óscar Rodríguez and Mojica.