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Sevilla come back to snatch vital point against Osasuna in LaLiga

Loic Bade of Sevilla and Aimar Oroz of Osasuna fight for the ball
Loic Bade of Sevilla and Aimar Oroz of Osasuna fight for the ballAntonio Pozo / Pressinphoto Sports Agency SL / Profimedia
Sevilla were held to a somewhat frustrating 1-1 draw by Osasuna at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, a result which means Los Rojillos are now unbeaten in the last six meetings with the Pamplona club (W2, D4).

Osasuna came into this game hoping to get back to winning ways after failing to win either of their last two LaLiga matches.

However, Sevilla dominated possession in the early stages in their attempts to climb into the top half.

The visitors did manage to test the opposition goalkeeper first, though, as Bryan Zaragoza was denied from distance by Sergio Herrera’s strong save.

Just before the half-hour mark, Los Blanquirrojos created the best opening of the half when Isaac Romero whipped a cross in towards Djibril Sow, but the Swiss international failed to find the target from the centre of the box, sending his shot narrowly wide of the post.

The home side continued to grow into the encounter as the half progressed, and they went close again on the brink of half-time.

Nemanja Gudelj fired goalwards from the edge of the area, but Herrera was again on hand to prevent the ball from finding the corner.

Key match stats
Key match statsOpta by StatsPerform

Sevilla remained in the ascendancy at the beginning of the second half and had another opportunity to break the deadlock with just under an hour played.

This time, the chance came from a corner, as Dodi Lukebakio’s cross was headed goalwards by Loic Bade, an effort Herrera was equal to.

Ultimately, Sevilla’s dominance failed to make much of an impact as Osasuna took the lead with 20 minutes left to play.

The goal came courtesy of Ante Budimir, with the Croatian striker heading home Jesus Areso’s cross for his ninth league strike of the term - only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski has more in the Spanish top flight.

Still, the away side’s lead was short-lived, lasting just three minutes as Sevilla drew level through Lukebakio.

The Belgian was put through on goal by Saul Niguez before keeping his cool to slot beyond Herrera.

Sevilla had the chance to steal all three points in the dying moments when Kike Salas was picked out in the area by Jesus Navas, yet the Spaniard sent his header well over the bar.

The result means Sevilla remain in midtable, although they are at least six points clear of the bottom three.

Meanwhile, Osasuna are still within touching distance of the top six, with just one point separating themselves and sixth-placed Mallorca. 

Full LaLiga standings
Full LaLiga standingsFlashscore

Flashscore Man of the Match: Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla)

See all the match stats here.