Stop-opener Gerard Pique at stoppage time and all-time winner Martin Braithwaite grabbed a stunning turnaround for the Blaugrana
Sevilla were left feeling devastated by their fans after being shocked by a second loss to Barcelona in a week, the latest loss that prevented them from appearing in the Copa del Rey final.
Julen Lopetegui’s side were a few minutes away from advancing Wednesday night before goals from Gerard Pique, and a time-lapse winner from Martin Braithwaite, put the Catalans through.
Lucas Ocampos had missed an earlier penalty that could have prevented the late drama, with Lopetegui and midfielder Joan Jordan admitting it is difficult to overcome.
What happen?
Sevilla had two up goals going into their Copa del Rey semi-final against Barca, with former Blaugrana star Jules Kounde and Ivan Rakitic winning both scores in the first half. foot to give Lopetegui men a hard advantage.
However, in a spectacular return match at Camp Nou, the Catalans advanced through the strike of Ousmane Dembele in the 12th minute and scored two more goals to secure their place in the final, where they will be against either Athletic Club or Levante.
It could be very different for Sevilla, with the visitors losing a penalty as Ocampos missed out on a 3-1 lead in the tie with just over 15 minutes left. normal time left.
As it turned out, Pique would go on to score in the 94th minute to spark extra time, with Braithwaite adding a third of Barca’s night to put Barca through. to the final. The night would end on another bitter note for the visitors, as both Fernando and Luuk de Jong were sent off.
What was said?
“We experienced the most awful feeling in football conceding the final kick of the game,” Lopetegui told reporters. “We saw the bitter side of football, to be away from the finals, for which we worked hard to try to get in, in the final play of the game. We have to swallow poison. “
Jordan said: “We are hurt. We feel so bad for our fans. We could have won with the penalty.”
What now for Sevilla?
Sevilla’s main goal is to finish in the top four of La Liga and secure a place in the Champions League next season.
Lopetegui’s side are six points ahead of Real Sociedad in fifth place and with a game in hand, although they are still 10 points away from the top of the table Atletico Madrid.
Beyond trying to finish in La Liga’s top four, Sevilla are still in contention to reach the Champions League semi-finals despite having plenty of work to do.
The Andalusians are 3-2 down from the first leg of their last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.