Sevilla FC began their La Liga 2026-2027 campaign with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium. The match was marked by early defensive errors, contentious refereeing decisions, and a last-minute penalty conversion.
The game started unfavorably for Sevilla when, in the 4th minute, debutant defender Sangante lost possession near his own penalty area. Rayo's Álvaro García capitalized on the mistake, intercepting the ball and scoring to give the visitors an early lead. This error drew immediate criticism from the home fans, with some recalling past defensive lapses by former player Nianzou. (cadenaser.com)
Sevilla responded in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Álvaro García fouled Sevilla's Sierra inside the box, leading to a penalty that Jon Guridi successfully converted, leveling the score. The match remained tense, with both teams seeking a decisive goal. (cadenaser.com)
The turning point came deep into stoppage time. Despite being reduced to ten men after Kike Salas received a red card in the 88th minute, Sevilla pressed forward. In the 97th minute, debutant Robbie Ure was fouled by Rayo's Lejeune in the penalty area. Peque stepped up and converted the penalty, securing a 2-1 victory for Sevilla. (elpais.com)
Post-match, Rayo's Álvaro García expressed frustration with the officiating, suggesting that the referee had taken "too much prominence" in the game. He also questioned the validity of the decisive penalty awarded in stoppage time. (cadenaser.com)
Sevilla's head coach, Luis García, praised his team's resilience, stating that they "deserved this victory" despite the challenges faced during the match. He highlighted the importance of mental strength and acknowledged the need for further squad reinforcements. (as.com)
This hard-fought win provides Sevilla with a positive start to the season, while Rayo Vallecano will look to regroup and address the issues highlighted in this opening fixture.