Imagen
En-Nesyri scored the only goal of the match

0-1: AN ICE-COOL FINISH FROM EN-NESYRI SEALS AN IMPORTANT WIN

21/04/2021
Entradilla
The Moroccan scored the only goal of the game to secure all three points for Julen Lopetegui's side, who are within touching distance of sealing a top-four finish
Cuerpo Superior

They camethey playedthey wonIt was the same old story for Sevilla FC. Julen Lopetegui's side picked up another crucial win thanks to their striker, En-Nesyri, who kept his composure early on in the second half, after rounding the goalkeeper and beating a defender before scoring the only goal of the encounter. The Nervionenses are unbeaten in seven matches and a fourth-placed finish is nearly mathematically confirmed. A win against Granada on Sunday could clinch Champions League qualification with five matches to spare. 

In the meantime, the first half was goalless at the Ciutat de Valencia, as Sevilla FC went out with the clear intention of taking all three points home. To do so, they did their best and managed to take control of the game, but Paco López's defence were able to fend off the visitors' attacks. At the same time, the Sevilla defence were doing the same in the face of Levante's attacks, who decided to play on the counter instead of taking control of the game. 

Cárdenas managed to tip Joan Jordán's long-range effort onto the crossbar

This meant that there was just one big chance in the whole of the first half, and it came after only seven minutes. Jesús Navas cut the ball back for Joan Jordán, who was lurking on the edge of the D. He tried to catch Cárdenas off-guard with a vicious long-range effort, but the 'keeper got just enough on the ball to tip it onto the crossbar. That was the first warning from Lopetegui's men, who would then have a second chance through Papu Gómez, who was playing in the middle alongside Jordán and Fernando. However, Ocampos got in the way of his compatriot's effort. 

Cuerpo Inferior

Knowing that more was required to break down a resolute Levante defence, the start of the second half saw the Blanquirrojos push for the opening goal. It came within just eight minutes of the restart. Suso played a lovely through ball to find En-Nesyri, who took the ball round Cárdenas. The Moroccan then showed his ice-cold composure to cut the ball back to beat Rubén Vezo, before rolling the ball into the empty net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute

With his side trailing, Paco López made changes as his side looked to equaliseBoth Rochina and Morales were brought on, and it was the latter who tried to level the scores as a loose ball fell to him in the box. However, Bono did not even need to save a shot from the hosts, and was only called into action late on to catch a Rochina free kick, the last act of the encounter. Although the match ended 1-0, Ocampos had the best chance to double the visitors' lead, but Cárdenas did just enough to put the Argentine off. Another three points for the Sevillistas, and the dream is still alive.

MATCH SUMMARY

0. LEVANTE UD: Cárdenas; Son, Rubén Vezo, O. Duarte, Toño García; Rober Pier (Sergio León, min. 73); De Frutos (Doukoure, min. 73), Malsa, Melero (Rochina, min. 59), Bardhi (Morales, min. 59); Dani Gómez (Roger Martí, min. 85). 

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono; Jesús Navas, Koundé (Gudelj, min. 85), Diego Carlos, Acuña; Jordán, Fernando, Papu Gómez (Óscar Rodríguez, min. 85); Suso (Rakitic, min. 74), En Nesyri (De Jong, min. 85), Ocampos (Munir, min. 88).

GOALS: 0-1, 53': En Nesyri.

REFEREE: Santiago Pizarro Gómez, from Madrid. Bookings for Bardhi, Melero, Doukoure, Rochina and Acuña.