Sevilla hit back to snatch draw against Villarreal

Posted Saturday, April 14, 2018 by PA

Sevilla kept alive their European hopes by producing a late comeback to secure a 2-2 draw with Villarreal in a dramatic match which saw both teams reduced to 10 men.

Goals from Dani Raba and Carlos Bacca put the sixth-placed Yellow Submarine 2-0 ahead and in control of the race for LaLiga’s final Europa League qualifying spot.

But Sevilla, having seen Wissam Ben Yedder sent off for two quickfire yellow cards for dissent, scored twice in the final 12 minutes.

Substitute Nolito missed a penalty, which led to Juame Costa’s red card, but then redeemed himself with a smart finish before Steven Nzonzi’s long-range effort sealed a point.

Villarreal remain in sixth spot, one point above Sevilla, who were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich in midweek.

Rabi headed the visitors into a 34th-minute lead and, after Ben Yedder lost his cool and was shown his marching orders just eight minutes after coming on, Bacca punished Sevilla with a smart finish.

Nolito, introduced in the 67th minute, wasted an opportunity to half the deficit when Sergio Asenjo made a smart save from his penalty, which saw Costa sent off after conceding the spot-kick.

The Spain international made up for his miss and Nzonzi’s piledriver secured a draw eight minutes from time.