Erik Lamela’s second-half stunner rescued a point for Sevilla against a spirited Mallorca side who dominated much of the game, although late VAR drama had its own part to play in a dramatic encounter between the two sides.
Mallorca started the stronger team, and wasted no time in putting Sevilla under pressure from the first whistle. In the first major flashpoint, the impressive Amath Ndiaye fired a dangerous low ball across the box, forcing the ‘Red and Whites’ to scramble in order to get it away. García’s side then made their early pressure pay, when Ndiaye made the exact same run into the right channel, although this time Antonio Sánchez was on hand to lash home the cross.
In response to going 1-0 down against pre-match expectations, Rafa Mir spurned the best chance for the visitors before half-time, when his lob trickled off target.
Despite a bullet header from Diego Carlos flashing wide shortly afterwards, Mallorca caused havoc down the right flank, and ultimately will have been disappointed to go in at the break only one goal to the good.
Julen Lopetegui’s half-time words initially seemed to have little effect, as Ángel Rodríguez missed a trio of chances to extend Mallorca’s lead. Even with time running out, however, Sevilla seemed to grow in belief, and Mir was denied the privilege of drawing level by the width of the post. Instead, that honour fell to substitute Lamela, whose sublime curling effort was worth the wait.
A dramatic Lucas Ocampos ‘winner’ beyond the final minute of injury time looked to have snatched victory for Sevilla, although the jubilant celebrations were called to a halt when referee Jaime Latre jogged ominously to the pitchside monitor.
Justice was eventually served due to a handball in the build-up. Though relieved, Mallorca missed the chance to nudge themselves into the top half, while Sevilla fumbled the opportunity to go top of La Liga in agonising fashion.
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