Sevilla Racing leveraged Ferrol’s numerical deficit to press their advantage. The team has remained undefeated at home since December 2022 and secured a place in the Copa del Rey last 16 by delivering a victory with a narrow margin of at least one goal.
Ferrol began the match with an aggressive attacking intent. Guided by Sabin Merino, Sevilla gradually asserted control, exploiting the spaces opened by the Greens, who refreshed their lineup with Merinos and Manu Justo to reinforce the midfield and attacking lines.
Marcao and Sergio Ramos made decisive contributions as they withstood the visitors’ pressure. They resisted the efforts of Cristóbal Parralo’s side, who had substituted Alavés winger Carlos Vicente for Vadillo and steered the Basque club toward the league stage on the prior Tuesday.
Quique Sánchez Flores’ squad relied on set pieces and work through Suso and Rafa Mir, yet the opening period featured several deflected attempts from Sevilla against A Malata, in a clash attended by more than 11,000 spectators.
Sevilla moved Marcao and Óliver into the starting XI for the league meeting with Athletic on Thursday, which slowed the pace despite Ferrol’s pressing. The pairing had rejoined a Sevilla side that had not been able to stage a centenary duel in 2019 due to a stadium-damaging storm.
Moments after his father’s passing, Marcao started the match by delivering Suso’s corner, which found the net in the 30th minute thanks to a rebound that kept Sevilla ahead.
In a tense moment before halftime, neighborhood supporters urged Sánchez Flores to pursue a winning result. Heber Pena’s most conspicuous action highlighted Andalusia’s early advantage, which could have widened if Ocampos had not misplayed a critical opportunity against Gazzaniga.
Racing de Ferrol approached the second half with greater purpose and equalized through Fran Manzanara, a regular substitute who headed in from a corner to bring the score to 1-1.
Heber Pena continued to influence the game from the wing, while Parralo’s men produced some of their best chances through shots by Rafa Mir and Suso as Sevilla replied with caution and intent.
Ferrol’s boss acted first in making personnel changes, bringing Iker Losada onto the field. The player of the month in LaLiga Hypermotion delivered an immediate impact by scoring the comeback goal soon after his introduction.
The dismissal of Fran Manzanara, who picked up a second yellow card for a challenge that posed little danger, forced Parralo to adapt tactically without altering Quique Sánchez Flores’ framework until the final stages, when tensions rose. Only two additional substitutions were made as the clock wound down.
Ferrol’s numerical disadvantage benefited Sevilla, who relied on individual moments to clinch progression to the Copa del Rey round of 16 as they defended the lead against a late push from Juanlu’s effort following Kike Salas’s service.
Data sheet:
1-Racing Ferrol: Gianfranco Gazzaniga, Julián Delmás, Jon García, David Castro, Brais Martínez (Álvaro Giménez 64), Fran Manzanara, Jesús Bernal, Álvaro Vadillo (Iker Losada 59), Heber Pena (Nacho Sánchez 79), Manu Justo (Álex López 59) and Sabin Merino (Moi Delgado 64).
2-Sevilla FC: Dmitrovic, Juanlu, Marcao (Nianzou in ’86), Sergio Ramos, Kike Salas, Pedrosa (Jauzaj in ’86), Sow, Óliver Torres, Suso, Lucas Ocampos and Rafa Mir.
Goals: 0-1, Marcao, 29th minute; 1-1, Fran Manzanara, minute 49; 1-2, Juanlu, minute 87.
Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (Balearic committee); The home side had Manzanara sent off with a second yellow in the 66th minute and 75th minute bookings to Álvaro Giménez, Moi Delgado, and other Sevilla players, including Marcao, in the 80th minute.
Events: One Malata, 11,011 spectators; a moment of silence was observed for the father of Sevilla player Marcao.