Sevilla vs. Real Madrid: 2017 Spanish Copa del Rey Leg 2 Score and Reaction

Real Madrid salvaged a 3-3 draw at Sevilla on Thursday, securing a 6-3 aggregate win to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. In the process, they set a new Spanish record of 40 games unbeaten in all competitions.

The home side took the lead in the 10th minute due to a Danilo own goal, before the match caught alight in the second period.

After the break, a stunning solo effort from Marco Asensio gave Madrid a vital away goal, although Stevan Jovetic hit back straight away on his debut for the club and Vicente Iborra grabbed a third. However, a late Sergio Ramos penalty settled any nerves for the visitors, before Karim Benzema struck in injury time to keep their unbeaten status intact.

The dramatic draw means Madrid have bettered the mark set by the 2014-15 Barcelona team, who put together 39 games without defeat.

With a three-goal deficit to make up, Sevilla needed to start this one well. And they got a goal to enliven those in attendance in somewhat comical fashion.

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Pablo Sarabia fizzed a dangerous ball into the box for Sevilla, and Danilo flung himself at it in an attempt to clear his lines. However, he contrived to head the ball past Kiko Casilla into his own net.

Per Ben Hayward of Goal, the right-back hasn’t enjoyed a particularly prosperous spell with Los Blancos:

Sevilla were emboldened by the opener and pinned back Zinedine Zidane’s changed side, with Wissam Ben Yedder causing the European champions plenty of problems.

Indeed, without Cristiano Ronaldo up top, Los Blancos were short of a focal point in the final third, too. Mariano and Alvaro Morata were both finding it difficult to get into the game, with Toni Kroos coming closest for the visitors with a shot that just whistled wide.

Sid Lowe of the Guardian praised the hosts at half-time but suggested that, with two more goals needed to force extra-time, they may pay for their profligacy:

That assessment proved to be correct, as the visitors had their away goal within three minutes of the restart thanks to some stunning work from Asensio.

There didn’t appear to be too much danger on when the youngster picked the ball up near his own penalty area, but the 20-year-old ate up the ground in front of him, outstripping the Sevilla defence, shrugging off a couple of challenges and finishing through David Soria's legs. 

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As noted by Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC, it was the type of goal some of Asensio’s illustrious team-mates would have been proud of:

Still, Sevilla weren’t done, and four minutes later, they were in front again. Jovetic, on just before the break for his debut, met Sergio Escudero’s cross emphatically on the volley to give the home side their second of the day. 

With three more goals needed, there was still a mountain to climb for the home side. They continued to create chances, though, with Jovetic bringing a fine save from Casilla before Ben Yedder headed off target under no pressure.

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Then, just as hopes were beginning to fade, Iborra gave Sevilla more impetus 16 minutes from time. The captain reacted quickest after Casilla spilled the ball into the danger area, and suddenly, just two were needed.

However, any faint hopes of a memorable comeback were ended when Matias Kranevitter felled Casemiro in the Sevilla area and a penalty was awarded. Ramos, a former Sevilla man, stepped up confidently, dinking his effort down the middle to leave the 'keeper looking a little foolish.

Per Phil Kitromilides of Real Madrid TV, the centre-back has been pretty prolific since joining Madrid:

With the tie over, priorities shifted, as Madrid pushed forward for an equaliser that would make history. And with the home side looking leggy in stoppage time, Benzema bundled his way beyond three defenders and saw his deflected shot beat Soria.

As noted by Kevin Egan of beIN Sports, the Madrid team showcased brilliant spirit to get through this contest undefeated:

Madrid had their nose put out of joint here by a vibrant Sevilla side, although nothing more. While there were times when the hosts built momentum, Zidane never cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines; you sense he will be delighted with the way his team dealt with pressure and then came on strong late in the game.

These two sides will meet once again at the same venue on Sunday, this time in what is one of the most crucial La Liga contests of the season. Should Sevilla better Madrid at the second attempt, they’ll close to within one point of the league leaders, who have played a game fewer.

Reaction

Injured Madrid forward Gareth Bale praised the performance of the Los Blancos side on his Twitter account:

Afterwards, Zidane paid tribute to the determination of his players and also suggested abuse aimed at Ramos from the home crowd was unfair, per Corrigan: