Munir celebrates his goal against SD Huesca

1-0: SEVILLA FC PICK UP ANOTHER THREE POINTS THANKS TO A STELLAR PERFORMANCE FROM BONO

13/02/2021
Munir scored the only goal of the game, heading home from an Óliver Torres cross in the second half. Bono turned in a man-of-the-match performance as he kept out three clear-cut chances from SD Huesca

Julen Lopetegui's prediction in his pre-match press conference came true. SD Huesca believed in themselves until the very end at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, despite the fact that they had fallen behind to Munir's second-half header. However, Pacheta's men did not buckle, and continued to fight to compete, as they have done in recent weeks, and they obliged Bono to pull off some outstanding saves late on in the match, with the Moroccan having to deny three huge chances from the Aragonese side. The Nervionenses now have 45 points in LaLiga, with just one point less than second-placed Real Madrid, and will go into Wednesday's Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund on the back of nine straight wins and seven straight clean sheets. 

Sevilla FC found it more difficult than usual to get into the game, with SD Huesca well-positioned on the pitch and looking to take control of the ball. Rafa Mir tested Bono early on with a shot from the halfway line, with the Moroccan keeper racing back to his goal line to make sure the visitors did not take the lead. The shot would eventually land on top of the goal. The first chance for the hosts came just after a quarter-of-an-hour of play. Munir found Óliver Torres with a cross from the byline, but he did not connect well with the ball and his volley went narrowly wide of Álvaro Fernández's left-hand post. 

Munir had a good chance after a great run from his own half, but the goalkeeper kept his shot out

The Nervionenses began to dominate proceedings, with the visiting goalkeeper denying a long-range effort from Papu Gómez. In the 26th minute, Julen Lopetegui's side had a huge chance to open the scroing. Munir picked up the ball in his own half and ran, reaching the edge of Huesca's box, but Álvaro Fernández was equal to the task and saved well. The hosts would go even closer with their final chance of the half. Rakitic's cross took a wicked deflection off Pulido, but Álvaro Fernández somehow managed to tip the ball around the post for a corner. 

Sevilla FC came out for the second half and looked to break the deadlock. They took full control of possession and had Pacheta's team hemmed in their own half. Papu Gómez had the first opportunity of the half, as he robbed Pulido and drove forward, but his effort was blocked by a defender. The next chance saw the Nervionenses open the scoring. Aleix Vidal threaded a ball forward down the right for Óliver Torres. As the ball was about to roll out for a goal kick, he expertly hooked in a cross which was emphatically headed in by Munir. A few minutes later, Gudelj nearly scored a curling effort from distance, but his shot grazed the post. 

Bono was in inspired form late on, making three spectacular saves to secure all three points

It may have seemed like Sevilla FC had clinched the win with that goal, but there was still time for late drama. In the last fifteen minutes, one player became an unlikely hero. It was Bono's turn. The keeper had barely been called into action all game before he made a stunning left-handed save to deny Rafa Mir's close-range header, sending the ball out for a corner when it looked as if SD Huesca would surely equalise. The Moroccan keeper would go one better later on with an unbelievable double save, saving Sergio Gómez's initial effort before somehow keeping out Rafa Mir's rebound. Absolutely sensational from Bono, who kept a seventh clean sheet in a row to seal the win for the Nervionenses. 

MATCH SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Aleix Vidal (Koundé, 80'), Sergi Gómez, Diego Carlos, Rekik, Gudelj, Óliver Torres (Fernando, 80'), Rakitic (Jordán, 63'), Munir, Papu Gómez (Suso, 74') and De Jong (En-Nesyri, 63').

0. SD HUESCA: Álvaro Fdez, Siovas, Pulido (Sergio Gómez, 80'), Silva (Insua, 15'), Mikel Rico (Real, 80'), Doumbia (Ferreiro, 59'), Seoane, Maffeo, Galán, Okazaki (Escriche, 59') and Rafa Mir.

GOALS: 1-0 Munir, 57'. 

REFEREE: Medié Jiménez, from Catalonia. Bookings for Doumbia, Rafa Mir, Galán, De Jong, Insua, En-Nesyri and Bono.