Match ends, FC Sevilla 2, Valencia CF 0.
SevillaSevilla2ValenciaValencia0
Sevilla took a commanding hold of their Europa League semi-final against Valencia as Stephane Mbia and Carlos Bacca scored in a first-leg victory.
After a frenetic opening half-hour, Mbia, on loan from QPR, flicked home following Ivan Rakitic's free-kick.
With Valencia reeling, Bacca's precise finish rounded off a swift counter-attack three minutes later.
The visitors' Edu Vargas swept wide before heading against the bar, but his side have it all to do at the Mestalla.
Sevilla had won 12 of their last 15 games coming into the match, including a 2-1 success over Real Madrid, and are now unbeaten in their last 14 home meetings with Valencia.
However the hosts' coach Unai Emery, who managed Valencia between 2008 and 2012, will remind his team that they lost 3-1 away to his former side in their league meeting in September.
Line-ups
Sevilla
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Beto
- 5Figueiras
- 3Navarro Corbacho
- 40Mbia
- 21Pareja
- 2Fazio
- 19ReyesSubstituted forMarinat 59'minutesBooked at 71mins
- 6Carriço
- 9BaccaSubstituted forGameiroat 73'minutes
- 11Rakitic
- 20Machín PérezSubstituted forIborraat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Varas Herrera
- 7Marin
- 12Iborra
- 15Trochowski
- 17Samperio Bustara
- 18Gameiro
- 42Mendonca dos Santos
Valencia
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Guaita
- 12da Silva Pereira
- 14BernatSubstituted forGayaat 45'minutes
- 21Parejo
- 15Fuego Martínez
- 22MathieuBooked at 90mins
- 8FeghouliSubstituted forGonçalves Oliveiraat 74'minutes
- 42Keita
- 16AlcácerBooked at 89mins
- 17Vargas
- 28Nicolás CartabiaSubstituted forPiattiat 57'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Piatti
- 6Romeu
- 7Gonçalves Oliveira
- 19Barragán
- 20Moreira da Costa
- 26Domenech Sánchez
- 31Gaya
- Referee:
- Damir Skomina
Match Stats
Home TeamSevillaAway TeamValencia
- Possession
- Home41%
- Away59%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home4
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, FC Sevilla 2, Valencia CF 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Vicente Iborra (FC Sevilla) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Ivan Rakitic with a cross following a set piece situation.
Booking
Jeremy Mathieu (Valencia CF) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Jeremy Mathieu (Valencia CF).
Post update
Kevin Gameiro (FC Sevilla) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Offside, FC Sevilla. Fernando Navarro tries a through ball, but Federico Fazio is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, FC Sevilla. Vicente Iborra replaces Vitolo.
Post update
Foul by José Gayá (Valencia CF).
Post update
Ivan Rakitic (FC Sevilla) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Booking
Paco Alcácer (Valencia CF) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Paco Alcácer (Valencia CF).
Post update
Beto (FC Sevilla) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Valencia CF. Conceded by Nicolás Pareja.
Post update
Eduardo Vargas (Valencia CF) hits the bar with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Pablo Piatti with a cross.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jonas (Valencia CF) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Pablo Piatti with a cross.
Post update
Seydou Keita (Valencia CF) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Kevin Gameiro (FC Sevilla).
Post update
Corner, Valencia CF. Conceded by Kevin Gameiro.
Post update
João Pereira (Valencia CF) wins a free kick on the right wing.
