May 15, (THEWILL) – Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Sevilla in Luis Suarez’s final home game for the club, receiving a standing ovation and an undisguised display of emotions.
The 35-year-old Uruguay international will be allowed to leave at the end of the season, with the player whose goals helped the club win the La Liga title last season on the move away from the Wanda Metropolitano.
Despite the fact that he was unable to resurrect his old magic this time, with Atleti’s goal coming from Jose Gimenez, Suarez received the warmest of welcomes when he was substituted in the 64th minute. He appeared to be in tears as he sat on the bench.
Sevilla, who had been the club trailing champions Real Madrid on the table for so long, were in danger of completely dropping out of the top four next weekend, but Youssef En-Nesyri levelled the score in the 85th minute to guarantee their Champions League ticket for next season.
Suarez had an early half-chance as Atletico seized possession on the edge of the Sevilla penalty area, but his drive was blocked, as was Antoine Griezmann’s.
After racing in behind the Atletico defence, En-Nesyri also got his strike all wrong at the other end, skewing way wide of Jan Oblak’s goal.
But, Gimenez took advantage of a yard of space at the near post at the half-hour mark and headed Yannick Carrasco’s left-wing corner across goal and past Yassine Bounou. It was Gimenez’s first La Liga goal all season but Carrasco picked up his sixth assist of the campaign.
In the 53rd minute, Suarez’s flying header flew a yard wide, then Alejandro Gomez’s deflected effort from outside the penalty area was superbly saved by Oblak.
As Atletico sought a second goal to end the game, Rodrigo de Paul’s 20-yard effort was pushed over, but they were stung instead when En-Nesyri, who had hit the crossbar seconds before, nodded in from a beautiful cross by Oliver Torres.
The draw was even more significant for Sevilla because it meant Betis are now unable to catch them in their last league match, guaranteeing Julien Lopetegui’s team their UCL berth.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
