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| Sevilla's Spanish midfielder Joan Jordan (C) vies with Wolfsburg's Dutch forward Wout Weghorst during the UEFA Champions League Group G football match between Sevilla FC and VFL Wolfsburg, at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on November 23, 2021. |
Joan Jordan scored an early goal as Sevilla beat Wolfsburg 2-0 in their Champions League clash at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday, a result that means all four sides in Group G remain in contention for the knockout round.
Substitute Rafa Mir added a second goal deep into injury-time as Sevilla secured a first victory in the group phase this season and it was just about deserved in a match of few clear-cut chances, with Wolfsburg in particular offering little in attack.
Lille lead the table with one round to play having amassed eight points from their five games, ahead of RB Salzburg (seven points), Sevilla (six) and Wolfsburg (five). Sevilla travel to Salzburg for their final game on Dec. 8, while Wolfsburg host Lille at the same time.
The home side's bright start was rewarded with a goal as Jordan stooped to head in an inviting cross from Ivan Rakitic after 13 minutes for his first Champions League strike.
Wolfsburg went close to an equaliser midway through the first half when Lukas Nmechaâs shot was palmed onto the crossbar by home goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, but the latter barely had a save to make after that.
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| 23 November 2021, Spain, Sevilla: Football: Champions League, Sevilla FC - VfL Wolfsburg, Group stage, Group G, Matchday 5, Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium. Wolfsburg midfielder Maximilian Arnold in action against Sevilla's Joan Jordan (r). |
Mir had a simple finish from six yards to add a second for the hosts, who inflicted a first defeat on new Wolfsburg coach Florian Kohfeldt. He replaced Mark van Bommel last month and won his first three games in charge before drawing at the weekend.
A last-gasp penalty by Yaroslav Rakitskiy earned 10-man Zenit St Petersburg a 1-1 draw at Malmo FF in their Champions League Group H clash on Tuesday, ensuring that the Russians will play in the Europa League in the New Year.
Danish midfielder Soren Rieks netted Malmo's first goal of the group stage in the 28th minute, combining well with Veljko Birmancevic before firing a shot low to the keeper's left to give his side the lead.
Zenit missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise from the penalty spot early in the second half, and the visitors also had Dmitri Chistyakov sent off for a second yellow card in the 86th minute.
The drama was not over though and Rieks was adjudged to have fouled Artem Dzubya in the box in second-half stoppage time, with Rakitskiy making no mistake from the spot.
The result ensured Zenit, who have four points, cannot finish lower than third in the group behind Chelsea and Juventus, who both have 12 points. Malmo have one point but lost away to Zenit and have a much poorer goal difference.
