Sevilla denied late win as Espanyol snatch dramatic stoppage-time draw

It was an ending for Sevilla, who had defended bravely after Arouna Sangante’s early red card and looked set to take an unlikely victory through substitute Lucas Stassin.

Match highlight

Espanyol came into the match on the back of 2 consecutive league defeats. Began with real purpose in Catalonia. 

Javier Hernandez tested Odysseas Vlachodimos from distance forcing the Sevilla goalkeeper into a save. The home side continued to carry more of the attacking threat through the half but clear chances remained limited. Alex Calatrava then sent a 25-metre effort wide as Espanyol struggled to turn their control into a breakthrough.

Sevilla had created little before the break and tried to raise their level at the start of the second half. Arouna Sangante headed toward goal. Marko Dmitrovic made a comfortable save. 

Sangante was shown a red card after bringing down Roberto Fernandez as the last defender leaving Sevilla to play the final half-hour with 10 men.

Espanyol pushed forward with the man and thought they had taken the lead in the 62nd minute. Omar El Hilali found the net with a finish but the goal was ruled out for offside. 

Sevilla substitute Lucas Stassin tested Dmitrovic with an effort and although the Espanyol goalkeeper kept that attempt out the Belgian striker did not waste his next chance. With 5 minutes remaining Stassin reacted to a ball inside the area and drove a sharp volley into the bottom corner.

Espanyol threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Fernandez missed a couple of opportunities. The home side kept pushing until the very end. 

In the minute of stoppage time Marcos Fernandez Sanchez finally found the breakthrough pouncing from 6 metres to score a dramatic equaliser and deny Sevilla all 3 points.

The result extends Espanyol’s recent head-to-head record against Sevilla with only 1 win, in their last 15 meetings but this late rescue could still feel important after their recent run of defeats.