Sevilla Vs Barcelona – Copa Del Rey 23rd January Review

Sevilla stunned holders and favourites to the cup, Barcelona, by defeating them two goals to nothing with Pablo Sarabia and Ben Yedder finding the net for the Andalusian side.

Recall that in our preview we gave proper credence to the Sevilla side based on their current form stating that they are not in this cup to make up the numbers. However, a win against the Blaugranas isn’t one bookmakers had expected.

Let’s get down to the talking points.

Barcelona were without Argentine talisman, Lionel Messi – with the captain not even named on the bench. An important point? We would see about that.

The Catalans struggled for possession for most of the first half with Sevilla controlling the pace and flow of the game – in a relatively quiet first 45 minutes.

Just before that, Sevilla thought themselves on the front foot when Arturo Vidal was seen to have had his arm make contact with the ball. That said, the VAR officials cut short their celebrations with the foul waved off – even though replays show there was a contact.

The Andalusian side showed their attacking power for most part of the game with Ben Yedder keeping Jasper Cillesen busy throughout the game. He tried many shots at goal but many were left begging.

On the other end, it was Malcolm who left Sevilla fans scratching their heads as the Brazilian went against the run of play to test the Andalusian side keeper, Jun Soriano, but the ball went several metres shy of goal.

The second half had Sevilla’s name written all over it as they made all the talking points. They were soon rewarded with a goal when Quincy Promes delivered an inch-perfect cross for Sarabia to tuck in from six metres out.

It was Ben Yedder who made it the second for the night as the Frenchman fired a clinical shot through on goal. Yedder later went on to celebrate lifting a shirt with the words ‘For my brother, Sala’.

Sevilla will now go into the second leg fixture – to be played on Next Week Sunday – with a 2-0 advantage.

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