MADRID, 8 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Sevilla saved this Sunday, with a goal from Jules Koundé in added time, a draw against Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica (1-1), which, however, did not allow them to seal their mathematical ticket for the Champions League , in a thirty-fifth day in which Rayo Vallecano has certified its permanence in LaLiga Santander with a draw away from Getafe (0-0).
The French defender, who at the beginning of the second half had scored his own in a move later annulled for Dia’s offside, was able to make up for it when Julen Lopetegui’s men already seemed to say goodbye to the three points, after a Lo Celso volley In the 86th minute, a great play by the Castellón team was crowned on the left wing.
Thus, in the last corner kick of the match, Koundé caught the ball to send it to the bottom of the net and rescue a point for the Nervion team, which already has 65; with two more in the next three days, they will be able to mathematically celebrate their presence in the top continental competition next year.
Villarreal (53), meanwhile, misses a golden opportunity to settle in the last of the European places, the Conference League, and get closer to those that give access to the Europa League. All after a game in which he was clearly dominant and ran into a superb Bono who ruined any yellow option during the first 45 minutes.
Neither Pervis Estupiñán’s injury nor Koundé’s own goal ruled out by VAR stopped Unai Emery’s men, who found their prize just four minutes from the end of regulation time with Lo Celso’s goal. However, Koundé appeared again to make amends and spoil the party.
Previously, Rayo mathematically sealed their salvation with a draw against Getafe, who will have to wait to sign the same goal. Andoni Iraola’s team only needed one point to achieve it, and they took it after a game in which they dominated and in which Baby had the clearest chances.
On the verge of half-time, the Cape Verdean striker enjoyed the best opportunity of the match but made an incomprehensible mistake when he was alone in front of the azulona goal. After the break, he tried his luck again with two exciting shots, although one hit the crossbar and another went high.
Quique Sánchez Flores’ men looked for the goal in the final minutes, but settled for a draw that prevented them from sealing permanence. With 37 points, the azulones have five points on the burning zone with nine left to play.