Joan Jordán celebrates the win against Real Betis

1-0: SEVILLA FC WIN IN EL GRAN DERBI THANKS TO A GOAL FROM YOUSSEF EN-NESYRI

14/03/2021
The Moroccan made the most of a great pass from Jesús Navas and expertly rounded Joel Robles

The first half went by with barely any chances for either team, but Sevilla FC managed to find the way to go into the dressing room one-nil up after making the most of their only chance. The match saw its beginnings hotly contested in the middle of the pitch, with pressing dialled down as both teams looked to get hold of the ball. Borja Iglesias had the first chance of the game as he shot from distance, forcing Bono into a double save as he parried away the initial effort and had to quickly react to deny Canales on the follow up. Sevilla responded with a strike from En-Nesyri following a pass from Ocampos.

En-Nesyri scored following a magnificent pass from Jesús Navas, rounding Joel Robles who had rushed out of his goal

Real Betis would have another chance with just over twenty minutes gone as Fekir fired a shot in at Bono. Only three minutes later, Sevilla, who had been getting a grip on the game, opened the scoring at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Jesús Navas ran down his right wing, noticed Youssef En-Nesyri in space and found the Moroccan with a sensational pass. En-Nesyri's first touch was just as sensational as he brought the ball down, and with his next touch he rounded Joel Robles who had rushed out of his goal. It was still no easy feat to score with the goalkeeper rounded given the angle, but Youssef expertly rolled the ball in with his right foot. With Sevilla in front and in control, the minutes went by as the first half came to its end.

The start of the second half saw big chances for each team. The first would come for the visitors as Borja Iglesias quickly reacted to back heel the ball, forcing Bono into a quick-reaction save. Three minutes later, Sevilla's chance would come as Papu Gómez won the ball and found Ocampos, but the Argentine's shot was off target. Julen Lopetegui decided to bring on Ivan Rakitić and almost had an instant reward as the Croatian fired in a left-footed strike with one of his first touches which went just wide for a corner. 

Ocampos could have finished the game off but the second would not come, as Betis almost equalised with the very last shot of the game

The end of the game saw a Betis siege on Bono's goal, playing down both wings and whipping crosses into the Sevilla box. Sevilla remained firm, with Fernando being replaced by Gudelj through injury. Ocampos could have finished the game off in a counter-attack, but an excellent block from Mandi denied what appeared to be a goal-bound shot heading into Joel Robles' goal. With the very last play of the game, Fekir dribbled in from the right and curled a wicked shot inches wide of Bono's goal. A close escape for Sevilla as the three points stayed in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Sevilla welcome Elche CF to Nervión this Wednesday in what is their game in hand. The team then travel to Valladolid on Saturday, bringing an end to a week of domestic action.

GAME SUMMARY

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Acuña, Fernando (Gudelj, 78'), Jordán, Papu Gómez (Rakitic, 66'), Suso (Óliver Torres, 66'), Ocampos (Rekik, 85') and En-Nesyri (De Jong, 85').

0. REAL BETIS: Joel Robles, Emerson, Mandi, Víctor Ruiz, Miranda (Álex Moreno, 78'), Guido Rodríguez (William Carvalho, 78'), Guardado (Juanmi, 63'), Canales, Ruibal (Joaquín, 63'), Fekir and Borja Iglesias. 

GOALS: 1-0 En-Nesyri, 26'.

REFEREE: Mateu Lahoz. Yellows for Canales, Ruibal, Ocampos, Diego Carlos, Álex Moreno, Joaquín, Jordán and William Carvalho.