Down a goal, then down a man: Sevilla win it from the spot at 90+7
Álvaro García scored inside four minutes, Kike Salas was sent off on 88, and Sevilla still found a way — two penalties, the second of them seven minutes into stoppage time.
Four minutes in, 36,777 people at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán were watching Álvaro García celebrate. Rayo Vallecano had the lead in the opening match of Sevilla's season, and they held it for most of an hour.
Jon Guridi levelled from the penalty spot on 52 minutes. That is where the game sat, and where Sevilla's evening got harder.
Ten men, and then a penalty in the 97th minute
Kike Salas was sent off on 88 minutes. Seven minutes into stoppage time, with Sevilla a man down and the match apparently heading for a draw, they won a second penalty. Peque Fernández took it. 2-1.
The stats say how tight this was rather than how one-sided: Rayo actually had slightly more of the ball, both sides committed 18 fouls, both picked up four yellow cards, and both passed at 73% accuracy. Sevilla had 13 shots to Rayo's six and won it with two of the three penalty-box moments that mattered.
Match facts
- 4' — Álvaro García (Rayo Vallecano)
- 52' — Jon Guridi (Sevilla), penalty
- 88' — Kike Salas (Sevilla) sent off
- 90+7' — Peque Fernández (Sevilla), penalty
| Stat | Sevilla | Rayo Vallecano |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 49% | 51% |
| Total shots | 13 | 6 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 3 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 2.30 | 2.00 |
| Accurate passes | 232 (73%) | 245 (73%) |
| Fouls committed | 18 | 18 |
| Yellow cards | 4 | 4 |
| Red cards | 1 | 0 |
What's next
Sevilla followed it with a 3-1 win away at Athletic Club on 22 August, which is six points from six and top of LaLiga on the organiser's table. Rayo drew 1-1 at home with Alavés on 20 August and have one point from two.
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