Sevilla 1-2 Bayern Munich Champions League: goals, action
A Jesús Navas own goal and Thiago's second-half header put Bayern in the driving seat. The Bundesliga leaders had fallen behind after Pablo Sarabia's goal.
Two deflections, two goals. Bayern Munich took advantage of a generous slice of luck to return home from the Sánchez Pizjuán in full control of this quarter-final tie. Franco Vázquez opened the scoring for the home side before Franck Ribery forced Jesús Navas in to conceding an own goal. Bayern edged ahead in a to-and-fro match when Thiago’s header bounced off Sergio Escudero’s planted foot and in to the net.
Sevilla drew energy from the simmering home crowd and made a sharp start to their first European Cup quarter-final since 1958. Pablo Sarabia squandered an excellent chance after 20 minutes, as he missed the target from 12 yards after Escudero’s cross to Wissam Ben Yedder squirmed in to his path.
Vincenzo Montella’s side rued chances misses after conceding a two-goal lead against Barcelona at the weekend. They looked set to follow the same profligate path against Bayern. Yet Sarabia made up for his error just after the half-hour mark. He cushioned Escudero’s cross at the far post and slotted the ball beyond the sprawling Sven Ulreich. The crowd growled with pleasure has Sarabia trotted to the corner flag and pointed to the badge.
The watershed moment arrived more by chance than design. Injury to Arturo Vidal in the first half paved the way for James Rodríguez to enter. The Colombian, a surprise omission from the starting line-up, moved quickly to front and centre. He rolled the ball to Ribery, who delivered a low cross from the left. Navas stretched to block it, but succeeded only in directing the ball inside the near post. David Soria brushed it with his fingers, but could not prevent it squirming over the line.
The visitors made a strong start to the second half, and moved in to a deserved lead when Thiago converted Ribery’s pinpoint cross – via a deflection off Escudero’s foot – with a diving header at the far post.
Sevilla swung back in to control as the match edged towards full-time. Steven N’Zonzi came closest to levelling the scored at 2-2, but luck was on Bayern’s side tonight, and it is the German team that has one foot in the semi-final.