A fascinating battle for the last and final CL spot unfolded yesterday as Real Mallorca took on Espanyol. Sevilla met Almeria. A battle that will be remembered for a long, long time.
Mallorca did their part by beating Espanyol, 2-0 through goals scored by Victor Casadesus and Mario Suarez. Check out Suarez’s goal. It has spectacular written all over it.
The players then turned their attention to watched the Sevilla match for the last few minutes. At that time Sevilla and Almeria were tied, 2-2 each. A draw would mean Los Nervionenses would be stuck at 61 points, one behind Mallorca. Enough for the last CL spot.
But Jordi’s 91st minute strike shattered those dreams. It was a fascinating match as a tough Almeria team refused to go away. Kanoute’s header was answered in brilliant fashion by Fernando Soriano’s volley. Los Nervionenses again went ahead again when Jesus Navas’s curling cross was steered into goal by Chico. A fateful own goal.
Another twist was added to the heated subplot as Alvaro Negredo was sent off the field after exchanging heated words with the match officials.
Almeria did not lie down coming back through Juan Ortiz’s tremendous strike from open field 25 yards away. An absolute beauty that had both force and width. It should make the top ten Liga goals. 11 minutes before match close and it looked as if Sevilla would be done for. Almeria were really pressing by now.
But then came the fateful moment in added time, as Navas centered the ball into the Almeria goal and it was Sebastian Squillaci pulling it down. The ball bounced to Rodri, an 82nd minute substitute lurking at the far right corner of goal, to cartwheel acrobatically and lash past Esteban Suarez.
Euphoria engulfed the Sevilla players and fans. Real Mallorca players watched with hands over their heads. Cruel sport this football. But the Balearics can be proud because their club beset with many problems and a tiny budget, till the last minute fought for a Champions League spot with the best. They will return to Europe after six years.