KRASNODAR, Russia (AP) – Munir El Haddadi scored at the last minute of the time off when Sevilla beat Krasnodar 2-1 to triumph in the 16th round of the Champions League on Tuesday.
El Haddadi scored the latest winner with a shot from inside the box to give Sevilla 10 points in Group E. Chelsea also finished with 10 points after winning 2-1 in Rennes. Krasnodar and Rennes stayed within one point after 4 games.
Ivan Rakitic gave Sevilla the lead within 4 minutes of the match with a shot from outside the domain after the ball cleared dominance through defense Krasnodar Kaio. The hosts tied with a Shot by Wanderson from a short range, and Sevilla defender Jules Koundé could not block him on the goal line.
Krasnodar had struggled to create vital occasions and his first shot reached the end of the first half. He had one of his most productive occasions in a time after halftime when Rémy Cabella’s shot at the open net hit the post after being redirected. Koundé as he glided in front of the goal.
Sevilla had won only one of their last 11 away matches in the champions league organizing phase. The current Europa League champion is making his first Champions League appearance since the 2017–18 season, when he eliminated through Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. Sevilla have reached the eighth round in their last 3 appearances.
“I am satisfied with the functionality of the team and the fact that we control to qualify for the elimination phase after 4 matches,” said Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui. “It’s especially valuable in this complicated season. “
It was in Krasnodar that Lopetegui was fired as coach of the Spanish national team before the 2018 World Cup for taking on a task with Real Madrid without notifying the Spanish football federation.
“We can only blame ourselves for this result,” krasnodar coach Murad Musaev said. “We were smart but only in some parts of the game. And, of course, we’ve played to the end of the game. It was unacceptable to grant a purpose”. like this in the last few minutes.
Sevilla went back after two attempts to win 3-2 in their fit against Krasnodar in Seville, despite betting the entire part of the moment with 10 men on a red card to Jess Navas.
Navas, one of the many Sevilla players not available on Tuesday due to injuries and coronavirus, Carlos Fernandez and goalkeeper Bono tested positive for COVID-19, as did Krasnodar goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.
Sevilla also lost Sergio Escudero in the 60th minute. The Spanish defenseman left the area on a stretcher.
Sevilla had won one of their last six matches before beating Krasnodar at home and has since achieved back-to-back victories in the Spanish league over Osasuna and Celta de Vigo.
“We deserved victory, which is very important because it takes us to the next round,” Rakitic said.
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