1-1: RAKITIC EQUALISES LATE ON TO SALVAGE A POINT

29/09/2021

Bono made a crucial save with the visitors trailing to allow Rakitic to bag a late leveller

The points were shared in Germany between VfL Wolfsburg and Sevilla FC in an encounter where practically everything happened in the second half. The hosts came straight out of the blocks after the interval and took the lead before the Blanquirrojos went all-out for an equaliser, levelled from the spot, and they nearly won it in stoppage time. Bono made a crucial intervention at a one-on-one chance, with the side trailing 1-0, before Rakitic levelled. Two matches and two draws for Sevilla FC, who are now two points behind group leaders FC Salzburg, and a point ahead of LOSC, the opponents in Matchdays 3 and 4.

The first half in Wolfsburg took place without any clear-cut chances for either side, but if any side was closer to breaking the deadlock, it was Sevilla FC. Their best chance came when Ocampos headed down a ball from Suso in the six-yard box, but Rafa Mir was unable to bundle the ball home, due to a goal-line clearance. Any attack by the hosts was well-dealt with by the host, and Bono was barely called into action during the 45 minutes. The downside of the first half, however, was the injury to Marcos Acuña, who had to be replaced by Rekik during the break after a tackle by Mbabu.

Steffen took full advantage of a poor clearance to score the opener just after the break

The second half could not have got off to a worse start for the visitors. Just three minutes into the half, Steffen took full advantage of a poor clearance by Jesús Navas at a cross, and comfortably prodded the ball past Bono, who had no hope in the world of stopping the effort. Lopetegui reacted quickly, making various changes, both in terms of tactics and personnel. Diego Carlos was the first player to go close to equalising, forcing Casteels into a save with a header from a corner.

Sevilla FC then had a spell where they could not truly threaten Van Bommel's side, as they dropped deeper and looked comfortable against the Nervionenses, and looked to break on the counter. At one of those counters, Bono again became a hero as he turned Weghorst's effort round the post with his foot when he was clean through. Lopetegui continued to make changes, introducing Munir and Iván Romero, who was making his UEFA Champions League debut. Rakitic then had a powerful drive deflected away from goal fifteen minutes before the end.

Papu Gómez nearly won the match for Sevilla, but his cross-cum-shot hit the post

However, Sevilla FC never surrender, even when the odds are against them. Lamela was brought down in the area late one by Guilavogui, and a spot-kick was awarded after the referee was advised by VAR to review his decision. Rakitic stepped up and converted what was a real pressure penalty to level the scoreline. In fact, Guilavogui was awarded a second yellow card for his tackle on Lamela, which flipped the tie in Sevilla's favour. The visitors nearly sealed an unlikely win in injury time, when Papu Gómez's cross-cum-shot went past everyone in the area and cannoned off the far post. However, after a frantic second half, the points were shared.

MATCH SUMMARY

1. VFL WOLFSBURG: Casteels, Roussillon, Bornauw, Lacroix, Mbabu (NMecha, 61'), Arnold, Guilavogui, Steffen (Waldschmidt, 73'), Baku, Lukebakio and Weghorst (Gerhardt, 90').

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Acuña (Rekik, 46'), Fernando, Jordán (Iván Romero, 69'), Papu Gómez, Suso (Lamela, 51'), Ocampos (Munir, 73') and Rafa Mir (Rakitic, 51').

GOALS: 1-0 Steffen, 48'. 1-1 Rakitic, 86' (penalty).

REFEREE: Georgi Kabakov, from Bulgaria. Bookings for Lacroix, Steffen, Suso, Rafa Mir, Mbabu, Guilavogui (dismissed for a second yellow), Rekik, Weghorst and Roussillon.