Atletico Madrid welcomed in-form Sevilla to the Vicente Calderon on Sunday knowing that three points would move them to the top of La Liga.
The capital outfit dominated the first period and led at the interval courtesy of a smart finish from David Villa.
Sevilla, however, grew into the second half and levelled 15 minutes from time courtesy of an Ivan Rakitic penalty.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Spanish capital and it is a real cracker as Atletico Madrid welcome Sevilla. The home side remain in second position in the table after 19 matches, but they have been joined on 50 points by Real Madrid, while they now trail leaders Barcelona by just one point.
Sevilla, meanwhile, have not lost in the league since going down 1-0 to Celta Vigo at the start of November. Since then, they have won five of their last seven, remain unbeaten in the process. That run of form has seen them move into seventh position in the table, while their away record has been much-improved this season.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Sevilla. Atletico have won four of the last five matches, with the further fixture ending in a draw. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 4-0 home win, while Atletico were 3-1 winners when they travelled to Sevilla last August.
TEAMS:
ATLETICO: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Gabi, Koke, Garcia; Turan, Costa, Villa,
SEVILLA: Beto; Coke, Fazio, Pareja, Navarro; Iborra, Carrico; Rakitic, Vitolo, Moreno; Bacca
So there we have it. Raul Garcia starts for Atletico this evening with Tiago unavailable. Meanwhile, the rest of the XI is as expected. Sevilla boss Unai Emery leaves Kevin Gameiro on the bench, with Carlos Bacca leading their line with support from skipper Ivan Rakitic. Right, the home side get the first second underway on this mild evening in the Spanish capital.
Just a reminder that three points for Atletico this evening would move them to the top of the table following Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Levante. It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium, but Sevilla enter this match in fine form and will be confident of causing an upset.
Half-chance for Atletico as Miranda meets a deep free kick from Gabi, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much from Sevilla in the opening four minutes or so with the Estadio Ramon side just attempting to feel their way into the fixture. I have a feeling that we could be in for a real classic here.
The pressure from the home side continues as Luis wins a corner from Coke, but the resulting set piece is headed clear by Fazio. Atletico continue to pass and probe outside the box, but the latest move comes to nothing when Pareja challenges Costa. Good intensity to the match, but still goalless with six minutes on the clock in the Calderon.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a series of late challenges, but no action is taken. Costa comes close to meeting a cross from Juanfran moments later, but the Atletico striker cannot make proper contact and it moves high and wide of the crossbar. One-way traffic with nine minutes on the clock.
Sevilla have started to enjoy more of the ball in the last couple of moments with the likes of Rakitic and Moreno involved in the Atletico half, but Bacca has been isolated in the final third thus far. Costa sets up Koke on the edge of the Sevilla box moments later, but Carrico is across to clear the danger.
CHANCE! The first opportunity of the match falls to Atletico as a clever piece of skill from Villa finds Luis inside the box, but the Brazilian can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Costa was in space, however, and might have been the better option.
Pareja enters the referee's book for challenging Costa just inside the Sevilla half as Atletico continue to force the issue. The resulting free kick is delivered towards Miranda, but Moreno clears the second ball. Vitolo is in support down the other end, but Luis is across to clear the danger.
CHANCE! Again Atletico come close as Costa twists and turns on the edge of the Sevilla box before attempting to place one into the bottom corner, but it hits the side netting. Sevilla just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the one-way traffic continues. The Calderon watches on with delight.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Sevilla (Villa)
Atletico lead inside 18 minutes as Villa latches onto a loose ball inside the box before thumping his effort into the bottom corner. Are the capital outfit heading for the top of the table?
That is Villa's first goal in seven matches and it could be an important one. Atletico deserve their lead that is for certain. Sevilla have simply been blown away thus far. You just get the feeling that the next five or 10 minutes could be decisive in terms of this match. A second for the home side could put the game beyond their opponents, even at this stage of proceedings.
This stadium is absolutely bouncing at the moment as Atletico continue to pop the ball around in the Sevilla half. Just a reminder that three points would see Diego Simeone's side move to the top of the table following Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Levante earlier this evening. However, there is still a lot of football to be played in this match.
Better from Sevilla in the last couple of moments as Pareja rises inside the Atletico box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Courtois, who has been a spectator in the opening 26 minutes. The referee, meanwhile, continues to become involved as a number of late challenges occur in the middle of the park.
Stop-start period of the match in the last few moments with the referee on hand to deal with a number of fouls. The latest free kick allows Gabi the chance to deliver into the Sevilla box, but Fazio is on hand to clear. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Sevilla managing to quell some of the pressure from Atletico. At 1-0, they are still more than in this match. The free-kick count continues to rise, which is interrupting the flow of proceedings.
Only Barcelona have stopped Atletico from winning at the Vicente Calderon this season and it does appear that record will continue this evening. Sevilla have managed to claw their way back into the match, but are not really threatening Courtois. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital.
In truth, not too much is happening at the moment, but Atletico are in control of the possession. They started like a house on fire, but their intensity has dropped since opening the scoring. That will not please Diego Simeone, who remains animated on the touchline. Chances remain at a premium in the latter stages of the first period.
Good pressure from Atletico in the last couple of moments as they force the issue with a series of crosses into the Sevilla box, but the away side resist the pressure. Garcia challenges Beto moments later, but the Sevilla stopper gains a free kick after fumbling a cross.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Fazio meets a loose ball inside the box, but the tall defender cannot direct his effort into the bottom corner under pressure from Luis. There is a threat from the away side, but it has not come too often. Atletico still lead 1-0 in the latter stages of the first period, but Simeone will want more from his side.
As it stands, Atletico will end the weekend top of the table on 53 points. However, you just get the feeling that they are going to need another goal this evening to be sure of all the points. It has been a stop-start last 15 minutes or so with a series of late challenges from both sides.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the latter stages of the first period as the referee's whistle continues to dictate the tempo. Both managers will have words to say at half time as the first period enters its latter stages. I shouldn't think that there will be too much additional time.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of a smart finish from Villa after 18 minutes. Sevilla have had their moments, but have not really tested Courtois in the first half at the Calderon. Atletico are heading for the top of La Liga.
STATISTICS: Atletico have dominated the possession with 67%, while they have had six attempts to Sevilla's three. However, aside from Atletico's goal, Sevilla have had the only attempt on target. In truth, the first period was a slight non-event after the home side took the lead.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Adrian, Rodriguez and new signing Sosa. Meanwhile, Sevilla are not short of attacking talent on their bench with the likes of Marin, Gameiro, Jairo, Reyes and Cristoforo all in reserve at the Vicente Calderon.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that three points for Atletico would move them top of the table - be sure to remain with us for the second 45 minutes. Right, Sevilla get the action underway on this mild evening in the Spanish capital.
One change for Sevilla at the interval with Kevin Gameiro entering the field in place of Pareja. That means a change of system for the away side, who have reverted to a back four. However, no changes for Atletico at the break. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in terms of the final result.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Bacca finds some space just outside the Atletico box before attempting to worry Courtois, but the Belgian is across to make a comfortable save. Atletico press down the other end with Villa moments later, but the Spaniard cannot find the run of strike partner Costa, who has been quiet this evening.
If Sevilla lose this evening, it will be their first loss in eight league games. The type of run they have been on will hand them confidence in the second period. Atletico are not exactly dominating at the moment as they continue to lose possession in the final third. No real chances for either side in the early stages of the second period thus far.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with the challenges flying in from both sides. A foul on Navarro from Garcia hands Sevilla an opportunity to threaten, but Rakitic delivers into the arms of Courtois. Little over 35 minutes of football remaining and still Atletico lead 1-0.
Costa wants a penalty as the Atletico forward goes down under a challenge from Iborra, but the referee is not interested. The resulting corner is delivered by Koke, but Fazio is once more on hand to clear, before Koke delivers straight into the arms of Beto. It remains 1-0 with neither side really threatening.
Half-chance for Atletico as Garcia finds some space outside the box before striking one towards the bottom corner, but Beto is across to make the fine save. The resulting corner is delivered towards Godin, but the centre-back is penalised for leaning on Carrico. Little over 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.
Atletico have just upped the tempo in the last couple of moments with Turan and Koke seeing more of the ball in the final third. We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. In truth, not too much has happened in the second period with 62 minutes on the clock.
Sevilla are having a real go here as Fazio delivers a wonderful pass towards Moreno, but his effort is blocked by Juanfran. The resulting corner comes into the box from Rakitic, but Miranda clears at the near post. Still no movement on either bench as we approach the final 25 minutes at the Vicente Calderon.
You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals in this match as both sides continue to attack. Sevilla make their second change as Marin enters the field in place of Vitolo. Moments later, Costa is denied by a fine block from Fazio inside the Sevilla box.
Garcia wants a penalty as the Atletico midfielder goes down inside the box under pressure from Moreno, but the referee is not interested, which is not a popular decision with the home supporters. Sevilla break forward with Marin moments later, but Godin steps in to clear at the vital moment. Little over 20 minutes remaining in the Spanish capital.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Coke meets a loose ball inside the box, but his effort is blocked by Luis. Marin delivers a deep cross into the box moments later, but Miranda clears under pressure from Gameiro. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment as the away side continue to impress.
PENALTY TO SEVILLA!
Sevilla are awarded a penalty as Juanfran pulls Bacca to the ground inside the box. The stadium has been silenced. Rakitic will step forward.
GOAL! Atletico 1-1 Sevilla (Rakitic)
We are all square at the Calderon as Rakitic thumps his penalty into the bottom corner. Game on! Sevilla deserve this.
Well, what do we have here? Are Atletico going to miss the chance to move top of the table? They have little over 15 minutes to find a winner. Juanfran immediately drives down the right before delivering into the box, but Fazio is on hand to clear the danger under pressure from Costa.
We will find out what Atletico are made of in the latter stages. This type of match decides titles. Costa has a half-chance as he meets a cross from Koke, but his header is high of the crossbar. What a weekend this could be for Real Madrid.
Still no movement on the Atletico bench, which is a surprise at this stage of proceedings. They have a number of attacking options in reserve. Neither side is settling for a point here as Sevilla break each time Atletico lose possession. Is there to be late drama in the Spanish capital?
Atletico come close to regaining the lead as Koke's cross is met by Fazio, but his header is collected by Beto. That might have been a bizarre own goal. Timewasting tactics from the away side moments later, but Atletico do make a change as Rodriguez replaces Villa, who has struggled since opening the scoring.
Possession football from Atletico in the last couple of moments, but they just cannot find a way through this tough Sevilla defence. This could be an incredible weekend for Real Madrid, who would be one point off the top of the table if this fixture does indeed end 1-1.
Sevilla make their second change of the match in the latter stages as Bacca is replaced by Reyes, who will provide more cover in the latter stages. Atletico attempt to force the issue with a cross towards Costa, but once more the danger is cleared by Moreno.
Atletico are used to winning in this stadium that is for certain, but Sevilla are a few minutes away from picking up a vital point in their fight for the top four. The home side have the chance to deliver another free kick into the Sevilla box, but instead it is played short and more time is wasted. Can Sevilla hold on?
Atletico make their second change as Sosa replaces Koke. Moments later, there are handbags between both sets of players. Hold on, there might have been a red card here.
RED CARD! Moreno (Sevilla)
Sevilla are indeed reduced to 10 men as Moreno clashes with two Atletico midfielders. At this moment, it is unclear what actually happened. What a finish to this match.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes. Fazio continues his battle with Costa and appears to punch the striker in the ribs following a challenge.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 1-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. Atletico fail to take advantage of Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Levante as they record the same score against Sevilla, who are now unbeaten in their last eight league games. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
