Sevilla secure safe passage
Thursday, 30 September 2004
[1] Sevilla FC breezed into the UEFA Cup group stage as they increased their first-leg advantage to a 4-1 aggregate win against Portugal's CD Nacional at the Dos Barreiros stadium in Madeira.
Deserved triumph
[2] The Spanish team went into the encounter two goals to the good in the wake of their victory a fortnight ago, and were indebted to further strikes from Jesuli and Renato in either half for the triumph which ensured progress. Despite an equaliser from Adriano with fifteen minutes to go, the visitors never looked in danger at any stage and thoroughly deserved the win.
Silva chance
[3] Joaquín Caparrós's side circulated the ball fluently during the opening exchanges, and Darío Silva was first to threaten for the visitors. The Uruguayan striker found himself with only goalkeeper Hilário to beat early on, but lacked the necessary poise in front of goal and the opportunity went begging.
Jesuli opener
[4] Nacional responded to the let-off by reorganising themselves in defence, after which the hosts enjoyed a relative bright spell, creating several chances of their own. Their buoyant mood, however, was short-lived as Jesuli put the visitors ahead in the 36th minute, combining well with Darío Silva before tucking away the opener.
Adriano header
[5] Nacional came out after the interval throwing caution to the wind, but were unable to secure the breakthrough they needed to force a way back into the tie. By the time their efforts did result in the equaliser - Brazilian striker Adriano's header rocketing into the net in the 75th minute following a free-kick - they had left themselves with too much to do after conceding the costly away goal.
Renato taps in
[6] Sevilla’s second, which arrived when Renato prodded in an excellent cross from Antoñito in the 82nd minute, put paid completely to any hopes of a revival in front of their own fans. The Spanish team now look forward to continuing their European adventure on Matchday 1 of the group stage on 21 October.