Sevilla sort out Rayo, jump Valencia for final Champions League spot

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:17 am
Denis Suarez and Sevilla are mounting a serious challenge for a UCL spot.
CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images

First-half goals from Vicente Iborra and Daniel Carrico lifted Sevilla up to fourth place in Spain's Primera Division with a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Iborra fired an 18th minute opener from an assist by Diogo Figueiras and Carrico doubled the home side's advantage with a header from a Denis Suarez cross two minutes before the break.

The win lifts Sevilla above Valencia, who face relegation-threatened Granada on Monday night.

Sevilla's draw with Granada last week dented their European aspirations and they were keen to bounce back with a win against their mid-table opponents.

Benoit Tremoulinas wasted an early chance to settle the home side's nerves before the visitors responded with a fine effort from Gael Kakuta.

Suarez saw an effort saved moments before Iborra's opener, but Vallecano once again responded well with Manucho and Raul Baena shooting just wide of target.

Caricco's neat header left the hosts firmly in control but Vallecano continued to press with Javier Aquino seeing a 61st minute shot blocked.

The dangerous Kakuta blazed two efforts high and wide of the target although Sevilla came close to grabbing a third in the 77th minute when Gerard Deulofeu fired a free-kick over the bar.

Alex Pozuelo just missed with a late effort on the end of a swift counter-attack, Kakuta again came close and Manucho saw his shot saved by Sergio Rico as Vallecano continued to search for a goal.

Kakuta and Manucho again came close in stoppage time but Sevilla held firm to record a victory which could prove vital to their hopes of top-level European football next season.