Sevilla secured a 2‑1 win over Elche at Martínez Valero on Monday night, moving into fourth place and tightening the race for a Europa League spot. Youssef En‑Nesyri’s late header sealed the victory in the final minutes after Lucas Ocampos opened the scoring, while Álex Fernández’s equaliser kept the hosts in contention and gave them momentum.
Match Overview
Sevilla entered the clash in fifth place with 31 points after 13 games, riding a recent 1‑0 win over Athletic Bilbao. Elche were 18th with 16 points, desperate for points to climb out of the relegation zone. Both teams fielded strong line‑ups, with Sevilla deploying a 4‑2‑3‑1 and Elche a pragmatic 4‑4‑2.
First Half – Sevilla’s Early Dominance
Sevilla controlled the opening stages, holding 58 % possession and creating several chances. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when a quick one‑two between Youssef En‑Nesyri and Lucas Ocampos opened space. Ocampos received the ball on the edge of the box and curled a low‑driven shot past Elche goalkeeper Édgar Badía to give the visitors a 1‑0 lead.
Second Half – Elche’s Fight Back
Elche responded after the break with a tactical substitution that added pace on the right wing. In the 55th minute, winger Juanma García delivered a low cross that Álex Fernández met with a well‑timed run into the box, slotting the ball past Sevilla goalkeeper Bono to level the score at 1‑1.
Decisive Moments and Final Minutes
Sevilla reclaimed the lead in the 71st minute when Youssef En‑Nesyri rose above the defence to head a perfectly weighted pass from Óscar Rodríguez into the top corner. The final 20 minutes saw Elche press aggressively, but a late header from Jules Koundé cleared the danger. In the 89th minute, Fernández struck a powerful free‑kick that rattled the crossbar, underscoring how close the contest was.
Implications for Both Teams
Sevilla’s Europa League Push
The victory lifts Sevilla to 31 points and fourth place, putting them within striking distance of a Europa League qualification spot as the season approaches its decisive phase.
Elche’s Survival Battle
Although the loss is a setback, Elche’s resilience, highlighted by the equaliser, offers hope. Their next challenge is an away match against Valencia, a fixture that could determine whether they remain in the fight for survival.
