Seville extended his scoring run by adding three more points to his tally after a victory over Real Valladolid, a team still navigating a rough patch, and he voiced discomfort with some of the refereeing decisions that shaped the clash.
The Andalusian side pressed from the outset in the Europa League semi-finals first leg at Jose Zorrilla, stepping out with purpose to surprise the home team and assert a presence that often caught Valladolid on the back foot.
With David Torres and Lucas Rosa starting, Valladolid’s defense looked solid. Coach Paulo Pezzolano surprised by pairing Kenedy in the lineup to inject pace, depth, and power into the attack.
Sevilla began with the upper hand in possession, often steering the play toward Valladolid’s goal, prompting Masip to intervene on several occasions. Valladolid, however, did not cede space easily, and Kenedy’s active movements troubled the home backline.
The match remained competitive, with a few fouls punctuating the rhythm and a general sense of restraint on both sides. Sevilla showed calm, while Valladolid pressed with urgency, trying to create openings without much room to maneuver creation-wise.
Escudero opened the scoring in the 39th minute, and while Valladolid’s attackers looked to finish the job, Badé responded with a sharp reaction save that kept the visitors ahead.
Rafa Mir tested Masip again, and the goalkeeper demonstrated his confidence in Valladolid’s net. In extra time, controversy flared and drew protests from fans, players, and staff, one participant even receiving a red card amid the tensions.
Escudero struck a powerful shot from inside the penalty area, but the referee ruled the whistle for the end of the first half as the ball was airborne, nullifying the goal.
During the halftime break, referee Ortiz Arias returned to the pitch amid a chorus of whistles and handkerchiefs, as Sevilla waited for Valladolid to come back on the field. The scene underscored the unusual protest sparked by events surrounding the match.
In the midst of the disappointment, Sevilla found themselves caught in a difficult phase, and Rafa Mir found the breakthrough, finishing decisively to put Sevilla on the scoreboard.
Valladolid needed a lift and luck began to appear in the opposite half. Javi Sánchez managed an equalizer attempt, but his shot lacked the needed power, allowing Dmitrovic to make a straightforward stop.
Pezzolano aimed to shake things up by substituting Kike Pérez and Kenedy for Óscar Plano and Iván Sánchez, just as Badé scored with a header that was ruled out for a prior foul on the Valladolid defense.
Similar to the previous match against Rayo, Sergio León was deployed as part of a two-forward line in an attempt to mount a comeback against a Sevilla side that’s cautious in its approach and quick to defend. Papu Gómez intervened near Masip to add another goal, capitalizing on a defensive error.
The VAR review led to a cancellation of that goal for offside, preserving the 0-2 scoreline as the crowd began to depart. Valladolid’s resolve remained evident, but the night ended with a sense of frustration. Tecatito ultimately finished the contest with another late goal in extra time, sealing Sevilla’s advantage.