0-1: THE YOUTH TEAM BEAT RANGERS FC CONVINCINGLY AND ARE THROUGH TO THE LAST 16

Sevilla FC's youth team will advance to the last 16 of the UEFA Youth League after a 1-0 win against Rangers FC on Tuesday. Lolo Rosano's boys were far the better side for a strong majority of the game. His side dug deep despite having had to play in nearly impossible conditions and being a man short for the last 15 minutes.

In the first half, our Sevilla youngsters step by step had to adapt to the playing conditions, but as the minutes went by the pitch seemed to worsen. A free kick taken by an active Carlos Álvarez around the fifteen minute mark was to be the first chance of the game, ten minutes later Álvarez was proving a threat once again when he slipped the ball through to captain Alexandro, who almost got on the end of the pass. Zarzana also went close when he saw his shot shave against the post half an hour into the tie. The Sevilla siege wouldn't stop, Juanlu missed a great chance and Álvarez again couldn't find the back of the net to finish off a brilliant first half. 

A huge effort from the Sevilla youngsters to hold out, despite being a player light with fifteen minutes to go

After the restart, things couldn't have started off better when Álvarez, after many failed attempts, managed to make amends by slotting home the only goal of the game after a relentless chain of close-cut shots from Sevilla inside the opposition's area. From there on, things seemed to burst into life and the Sevilla youth were looking to add to their lead through Sergio, but what Rosano's boys weren't expecting was to be playing out the last fifteen minutes a man light after Marcelo was shown a red due to dangerous play in a head collision. It wasn't until the 83rd minute when Rangers created their clearest chance through a Wilson shot but Alberto Flores would stand tall and prevent the Scots from equalling the tie. Not only were Sevilla down to ten but at the time were captain Alexandro was struggling with an injury, Lowry broke through to fire a shot at goal despite protests from the Sevilla players. 

The match ended with the referee handing out numerous bookings, Rangers having the fair share of the yellows. However, it was to be Sevilla that advanced who, after a five season absence, return to competing at the last 16 stage, a stage in the competition they were last knocked out of by Atlético de Madrid back in 2017. The draw will take place next Monday with Portuguese sides Sporting CP and Benfica, English sides Manchester United and Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Real Madrid awaiting.(The matches are determined to be a one-legged tie that will be played between the 1st-2nd of March) 

Photo: @UEFAYouthLeague.

MATCH SUMMARY

SEVILLA FC: Alberto F., Mancheño, Sergio, Darío, Kike Salas, Marcelo, Zarzana (Juanan, 85'), Juanlu, Alexandro (Gonzalo, 88'), Carlos Álvarez and Diego Talaverón (Manu Bueno, 72').

GOALS: 0-1: Carlos Á. (min 50');

REFEREE: Allard Lindhout (Holland). Yellows were given to Miller, McCausland, King and Weston as were to Zarzana, Carlos Álvarez, Alberto Flores and Juanan. Marcelo was also sent off.

EVENTS: This game was the UEFA Youth League play-off played at the Dumbarton Football Stadium in Scotland. Pablo Blanco, Agustín López, Marcos Gallego and head of Youth International Recruitment, Antonio Fernández attended the game.