Late goal in the Wanda Metropolitano yields last Champions League ticket


Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 9:47 PM• Shane Jebbink • Last update: 21:48

Sevilla has won the last Champions League ticket in Spain with a point in Wanda Metropolitano. Los Rojiblancos five minutes before the end, with a goal from Youssef En-Nesyri, they won a draw against direct competitor Atlético Madrid. Los Colchoneros had taken the lead in the first half but could not get the three points over the line: 1-1. With the draw, both teams are therefore assured of a place in the top four in LaLiga, which means that they will play in the billion-dollar ball next season. Luis Suarez played his last home game for Atlético, as it was announced before the game started that the striker would leave Madrid after this season.

In his last home game, Suárez seemed to score after five minutes. Rodrigo de Paul captured the ball just before the penalty area and brought the Uruguayan into position, but he shot the ball wide. A few minutes later, a free kick by De Paul was headed wide by Reinildo. On the other side, En-Nesyri was close by. Thomas Delaney launched the Moroccan with a bounce, but the Sevilla striker hurriedly missed Jan Oblak’s goal.

After half an hour of play, Diego Simeone’s team took the lead. Suárez decorated a corner via Jules Koundé, which was taken by Yannick Carrasco. With the standard situation, the Belgian found the head of José Giménez, who headed the ball hard against the ropes. A few minutes into the second half, Suárez was again close to scoring, but his header on a pass from Koke flew wide of the post. Fifteen minutes later, the 35-year-old striker received a public change, with which he said goodbye to the home crowd.

Atlético were looking to extend the lead and almost succeeded. Carrasco dribbled on the edge of Sevilla’s penalty area and delivered to De Paul. His swipe was cleverly tapped over the bar by Yassine Bounou. A free kick by Carrasco was almost finished off by Stefan Savic minutes later, but the ball ended up wide of the goal via the foot of the Serb. Sevilla came alongside in Madrid five minutes before the end. Atlético did not get the ball defended, after which Sevilla took over. Substitute Oliver Torres brought the ball into the penalty area, where he found a running-in En-Nesyri. The striker headed the ball behind Oblak and caused ecstasy in the visitors’ camp.

No. Team m W G V † Pnt
1 Real Madrid 37 26 7 4 49 85
2 Barcelona 37 21 10 6 32 73
3 Atletico Madrid 37 20 8 9 21 68
4 Seville 37 17 16 4 22 67
5 Real Betis 37 19 7 11 22 64
6 Real Sociedada 37 17 11 9 4 62
7 Villarreal 37 15 11 11 24 56
8 Athletic Club 37 14 13 10 8 55
9 Osasuna 37 12 11 14 -12 47
10 Celta de Vigo 37 12 10 15 2 46
11 Valencia 37 10 15 12 -7 45
12 Rayo Vallecano 37 11 9 17 -9 42
13 Espanyol 37 10 11 16 -13 41
14 getafe 37 8 15 14 -6 39
15 Elche 37 10 9 18 -14 39
16 Granada 37 8 13 16 -17 37
17 Real Majorca 37 9 9 19 -29 36
18 Cadiz 37 7 15 15 -17 36
19 Levante 37 7 11 19 -27 32
20 Alaves 37 8 7 22 -33 31