Celta Vigo welcomed Sevilla to Vigo for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday night.
Sevilla entered the match as the firm favourites to advance into the final following a 4-0 victory last week.
Celta took the lead on the night in the 35th minute when Iago Aspas converted from close range, before the former Liverpool striker made it 2-0 early in the second period.
Sevilla grabbed a vital away goal just before the hour when Ever Banega found the bottom corner, however, before Celta passed up the chance to make it 3-1 on the hour when John Guidetti missed from the penalty spot.
There was to be one more goal, however, and it came for Sevilla as Yevhen Konoplyanka levelled the scores on the night in the 87th minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage continues from Vigo as Celta Vigo welcome Sevilla for the second leg of their semi-final. Sevilla will enter this match holding a 4-0 lead from the first leg last week and therefore Celta will need to produce an incredible turnaround to prevent Unai Emery's side from setting up a final with Barcelona. It is a big, big ask for Celta tonight!
These two teams must be getting sick of the sight of each other as they prepare for their third meeting in just one week. As mentioned, Sevilla recorded a 4-0 victory in the first leg at the Estadio Ramon last week, but the pair also met in La Liga at the weekend, when the points were shared in a 1-1 draw in this very stadium. Tonight makes it three matches in a row, meaning that there will not be too many surprises!
Celta have actually only beaten Sevilla once in their last five attempts – a 2-1 success at the Estadio Ramon in the league in September 2015. Not only do they need to beat Emery's side tonight, they need to score at least four times to take the tie into extra-time. It is unlikely if we are all being honest with each other, but they are not seven behind like Valencia were against Barcelona last night.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for this semi-final. How many changes have been made from the weekend's clash? Let's have a look...
TEAMS:
CELTA: Ruben; Wass, Mallo, Gomez, Planas; Diaz, Hernandez; Orellana; Bongonda, Guidetti, Aspas
SEVILLA: Rico; Escudero, Kolo, Rami, Coke; Iborra, Carrico; Krohn-Dehli, Banega, Vitolo; Gameiro
While Celta boss Eduardo Berizzo has made changes for tonight's match, there are still a number of first-team players in the XI. Fabian Orellana, Iago Aspas and John Guidetti all start for the home side, while Marcelo Diaz comes into the midfield alongside Pablo Hernandez. Daniel Wass will switch to full-back, while Hugo Mallo also returns to the centre of the defence ahead of Gustavo Cabral.
As for Sevilla, Kevin Gameiro, Ever Banega, Vitolo and Vicente Iborra are among those that come into the XI, with the likes of Fernando Llorente, Jose Antonio Reyes and Yevhen Konoplyanka dropping out. Spanish goalkeeper Sergio Rico keeps his spot between the sticks, however, and based on the circumstances surrounding the second leg, it is a very strong XI selected by Emery.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now less than 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Vigo. Just a reminder that the winner of tonight's tie will advance into a final that already includes the holders of the trophy Barcelona. Luis Enrique's side took a 7-0 lead into the second leg of their semi-final with Valencia last night and drew 1-1 at the Mestalla to advance 8-1 on aggregate.
There are actually just two points separating seventh-place Celta from fifth-place Sevilla in La Liga, but the two teams have had contrasting fortunes in recent weeks. Celta have only won one of their last seven in Spain's top flight, which has seen them fall behind in the race for fourth, which is held by Villarreal.
Sevilla, on the other hand, are currently on a five-game unbeaten run in the league, while they have only lost one of their last 11 in the top flight. That excellent run of form has moved Emery's team into fifth position in the table, but they are eight points off Villarreal, who at the moment are the overwhelming favourites to take the final Champions League place on offer behind the top three.
In truth, the wheels have come off for Celta over the last couple of months. They were excellent in the first half of the season, but have lost to both Rayo Vallecano and Las Palmas in recent weeks. They have also lost four of their last eight league games at home and they only narrowly beat basement side Levante in their last home match before the 1-1 draw with Sevilla at the weekend.
In terms of Celta's progression to this stage of the Copa del Rey, they overcame Almeria 4-1 on aggregate in their first tie of the campaign, before comfortably beating Cadiz. Eduardo Berizzo's side then shocked Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals – recording a 3-2 victory at the Vicente Calderon in the second leg to set up a semi-final with Sevilla, which now looks beyond them.
Sevilla, meanwhile, breezed past UD Logrones, before beating Real Betis 6-0 on aggregate. Their progression to the semi-finals was extremely straight-forward as they then thumped Mirandes 5-0 on aggregate to set up the clash with Celta. With respect to all of the teams that Sevilla have faced in the cup this season, they have had a very favourable draw thus far and now look set for the final.
It would also be fair to say that everyone wanted to avoid Barcelona when the draw for the semi-finals was made and Valencia were the unlucky team to be pulled out of the hat with the holders. Incredibly, Sevilla have still not conceded a single goal in this season's Copa del Rey and they will be keen to keep that record as they bid to make the final against Barcelona, who are obviously the favourites.
Sevilla last won this competition in 2010, when they beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 in the final. That was the Andalusian side's fifth Copa del Rey crown, which makes them the seventh-best performing team since the competition started. As for Celta, they have never won the Spanish Cup, but they have made the final on three occasions – the last of which was in 2001, when they were beaten 3-1 by Real Zaragoza.
In terms of what both teams have to come, it would be fair to say that Sevilla have the more favourable league match this weekend. Emery's side will host Las Palmas on Sunday in a game that they will certainly expect to win. Celta? They have the small matter of Barcelona at Camp Nou, also on Sunday.
PREDICTION! Even the most ardent of Celta supporters would find it difficult to make a case for their team in this tie. They can definitely win this match, but can they overturn a four-goal deficit? Not for me. With that being said, I am going to back a 1-1 draw, which I got right in last night's semi!
A reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
CELTA: Ruben; Wass, Mallo, Gomez, Planas; Diaz, Hernandez; Orellana; Bongonda, Guidetti, Aspas
SEVILLA: Rico; Escudero, Kolo, Rami, Coke; Iborra, Carrico; Krohn-Dehli, Banega, Vitolo; Gameiro
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It is a massive ask for Celta, but an early goal would spice things up! The hosts kick things off here...
... not exactly a full house inside the stadium tonight. In fact, it is a pretty poor turn-out. Let's hope that the football provides entertainment for those that are here. Celta have started on the front foot.
It has been an open start to this match, with both teams prepared to commit numbers in the final third of the field. Sevilla have plenty of pace and movement on the counter attack, while Banega is pulling the strings just behind the forward players. Plenty happening in the early exchanges here.
Guidetti has been nice and bright for the home side early on and a through pass from Orellana almost meets the powerful striker, but Kolo is across at the vital moment to clear down-field.
CHANCE! The first opportunity of the match falls to Krohn-Dehli as the Sevilla midfielder shows excellent feet inside the box before attempting to squeeze one past Blanco at the near post, but it hits the side netting. That would have been a moment for the midfielder to savour against his former club!
Good spell for Celta in the last 60 seconds or so as they work the ball into a wide position, where Wass delivers, but Guidetti's touch takes him too wide and Sevilla manage to resist the pressure.
Celta need to score at least four times tonight to stand a chance of progressing and they have started like a team that wants an early goal. Sevilla, however, are so dangerous on the counter.
Guidetti again plays on the shoulder of the Sevilla back-line and Hernandez feeds the ball into the striker, who turns and strikes towards goal, but the offside flag was raised against the number 11.
Sevilla are just struggling to get into the game at the moment as Celta continue to pass and probe in the final third. Guidetti has looked the most likely to make something happen for the hosts, while Orellana is picking up space between the midfield and attack. Still a really high tempo to this match!
Just a reminder that Sevilla currently lead 4-0 on aggregate here and therefore Celta need to score at least four times to take this into extra-time. As expected, the visitors are not too concerned with pushing numbers forward at the moment. They are just absorbing the danger and hoping to break.
Sevilla skipper Coke strikes one high and wide from the edge of the Celta box.
Both teams have had opportunities to threaten from well-placed free kicks in the opening 20 minutes, but both have been guilty of poor quality from dead-ball situations. Still goalless here.
Decent period of possession for Sevilla in the last couple of minutes, but they are unable to create a chance of note. The only real opportunity thus far was that Krohn-Dehli effort in the sixth minute.
BOOKING! Planas (Celta) is booked for a late challenge on Vitolo.
Guidetti continues to run the line for Celta and the striker is causing problems with his pace and movement. The hosts have a chance to threaten when Aspas carries the ball into the Sevilla box, but the forward's final touch is too strong and it goes straight out of play for a Sevilla goal-kick.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Iborra picks out a brilliant cross into Gameiro, but the striker was always off-balance and his effort was wide of the target. Better from the away side in the final third.
Bongonda's exceptional pace takes him past three Sevilla defenders, but the attacker cannot escape Rami and his run is cut short at the vital moment. Down the other end, Banega manages to work the ball into Gameiro, but the Frenchman's strike is blocked by Mallo. End-to-end football!
Guidetti again collects a through ball for the home side before testing Rico, but once again the offside flag is raised. Rico was not to know, however, and made a really smart save there.
BOOKING! Banega (Sevilla) is booked for dissent.
CHANCE! Celta's best chance of the match falls to Aspas as the Spaniard collects a super pass from Orellana before attempting to beat Rico, but the stopper gets down to make the save!
I am not entirely sure what has happened on the sidelines, but I think that one of the assistant coaches have been sent to the stands. This has turned a little bit nasty all of a sudden!
Really good pressure from Celta in the last few moments and they have another half-chance when Planas delivers onto the head of Wass, but the midfielder's effort was always over the crossbar.
GOAL! Celta 1-0 Sevilla (Aspas)
Breakthrough Celta! The home side take the lead on the night in the 35th minute as Aspas converts a super Orellana cross from close range. It is now 4-1 on aggregate to Sevilla in this semi-final!
Wass stands over a free kick outside the Sevilla box, but his effort is well wide.
Sevilla are just wobbling at the moment and Emery will be wary of conceding another goal before the half-time break. A seemingly impossible task would then become possible for Celta here.
Half-chance for Sevilla to level as Rami meets a deep free kick from Banega, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. This has developed into a cracking game it must be said!
Sevilla just cannot seem to keep hold of the ball at the moment and they are inviting Celta to deliver high balls into their box with the number of free kicks that they are conceding. Just a reminder that the home side need another three answered goals to level this semi-final at 4-4 on aggregate.
POST! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to level the scores as Iborra rises above everyone inside the Celta box, but his header crashes off the outside of the post! He had to score from there!
HALF-TIME: Celta 1-0 Sevilla (1-4 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Celta leading 1-0 on the night courtesy of a close-range finish from Aspas in the 35th minute. Sevilla, however, still lead 4-1 on aggregate courtesy of their 4-0 victory in the first leg last week. It has been a cracking game tonight!
STATS! Celta have dominated the possession with 63%, while they have had five attempts, one of which was on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have had six attempts, but not yet managed to hit the target. Two yellow cards to report in what was a feisty first period - Planas for Celta and Banega for Sevilla.
BENCH WATCH! Celta do not exactly have a whole host of attacking options on their bench tonight, but Drazic, Radoja and Sene are among those available for the home side. Sevilla boss Emery, meanwhile, has experienced options in the shape of Konoplyanka, Reyes, Mariano and N'Zonzi.
This man has made the difference for Celta tonight...
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Celta force extra-time in this tie? We shall see! It is Sevilla that resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. It must be said that the weather is really rotten tonight! The rain has started to fall much heavier around us!
Super work from Vitolo as the Sevilla attacker holds off two challenges before driving into the Celta box, but Gomez is across at the vital moment to clear for a corner, which Iborra heads wide.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes as the referee is forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Still just the two yellow cards issued though.
CHANCES! Two super chances for the home team! First, Guidetti sees his close-range header kept out by Rico, before Aspas somehow heads wide of the post from close range! Wow!
It will not come a surprise to learn that Celta are firmly on the front foot here as they search for a second goal, which would suddenly give the supporters some hope. One goal for Sevilla, however, would more than likely secure their spot in the final. It is one-way traffic at the moment in Vigo.
Sevilla just cannot seem to get out of their own hand at the moment as Celta continue to throw high balls into the box. It is all very frantic at the moment and Sevilla are seriously wobbling at the back!
GOAL! Celta 2-0 Sevilla (Aspas)
And there is the second goal! Celta double their lead on the night as Aspas heads home from close range after Rico had kept out a low cross from Wass. The striker just could not miss!
SEVILLA SUB! N'Zonzi replaces Iborra for the visitors.
GOAL! Celta 2-1 Sevilla (Banega)
Heartbreak for Celta! Sevilla score a vital away goal and move further ahead on aggregate as Banega carries the ball to the edge of the box before striking one across Ruben into the corner!
BOOKING! Rico (Sevilla) is booked for bringing Guidetti to the deck inside the box.
PENALTY CELTA!
POST! Guidetti hits the post with his spot kick! Wow!
I am not sure that was a penalty and therefore you could say that justice has been served!
SEVILLA SUB! Cristoforo replaces Carrico in Sevilla's second change.
This has been a cracking match and you just cannot take your eyes off it at the moment. Celta were so full of beans when Aspas made it 2-0, but Sevilla pretty much went straight down the other end and scored. That penalty miss from Guidetti has just further added to the drama in this semi-final.
CELTA SUB! Jonny replaces Wass for the home side.
Another opportunity for the home side as Bongonda flashes a super cross towards the far post, but it is too strong for Aspas and Sevilla can launch another counter of their own. Still 2-1 on the night.
CHANCE! Super chance for Banega to score his second as the Argentine finds more space outside the Celta box, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar.
CELTA SUB! Radoja replaces Diaz in Celta's second change.
CLOSE! Orellana's long-range strike just misses the post!
It is all very manic at the moment as Celta continue to commit players in the final third.
SEVILLA SUB! Banega is replaced by Konoplyanka for the away team.
CELTA SUB! Guidetti is replaced by Sene for Celta.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Celta are still committing plenty of players forward, which is inviting the counter attack from Sevilla.
BOOKING! Hernandez (Celta) is booked for a late challenge on Vitolo.
CHANCE! Another super chance for the home side as Orellana finds space inside the Sevilla box before bending one towards the far corner, but Rico makes a fine stop!
The tempo of this match has not really dropped throughout the entirety of the second period, which has made it just an incredible game to watch. Celta need to score four more times if they are to make the final, which is not going to happen, but they are still pressing men forward.
Another opportunity for the home side as Hernandez drives into the Sevilla box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Rami forces the midfielder wide and his effort is past the post.
Sevilla are becoming more of a threat on the counter as Celta continue to commit players in the final third. They are going to exit the Copa in the semis, but they are seemingly going to win tonight.
It is excellent to hear the home supporters backing their team in the final moments of this match. Celta have really struggled for form over the last couple of months, but this has been much better.
BOOKING! Gameiro (Sevilla) is booked for changing his shirt!
GOAL! Celta 2-2 Sevilla (Konoplyanka)
Sevilla level the scores on the night as Konoplyanka finishes a Vitolo cross from close range!
BOOKING! N'Zonzi (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Aspas.
Orellana's free kick is straight into the arms of Rico.
FULL-TIME: Celta 2-2 Sevilla (Sevilla win 6-2 on aggregate)
So there we have it. Sevilla secure a 2-2 draw on the night and book their spot in the final of the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 6-2 aggregate win. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
