Almería stunned Sevilla with a resounding 4-1 victory in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey held on January 4, 2025. The match showcased not only Almería's resilience as they came from behind but also highlighted the fragile state of Sevilla's squad.
Sevilla opened the scoring early, with Isaac Romero netting the first goal just five minutes after kickoff. The visitors appeared to be on their way to another victory, keeping control until Almería fired back.
Marko Milovanovic equalized for Almería shortly after halftime, scoring with a stunning shot from outside the area. Then, Luis Suárez took center stage with two more goals, the first coming quickly after Milovanovic's effort, leaving Sevilla's defense scrambling.
Almería not only took the lead but showed tremendous organization and spirit, which became even more pronounced as the match progressed. With Luis Suárez relentlessly pressuring Sevilla's backline, he added his third goal by the 90th minute, completing his hat trick.
The final nail for Sevilla came when Suárez converted from the penalty spot after being fouled by Loïc Badé, devastating what had already been a difficult outing for the team from the Andalusian capital.
The match was played before 15,067 fans at the UD Almería Stadium, and the atmosphere was electric, especially among the local supporters who roared with every goal scored by their team.
Head coach García Pimienta of Sevilla faced tough questions following the loss. His team started with promising moments but failed to capitalize on opportunities, with Juanlu missing a significant chance to double Sevilla's lead early on.
"The second half was truly disappointing. We showed all our flaws against Almería, who capitalized on our mistakes beautifully," García Pimienta lamented post-match.
Sevilla now faces criticism for its poor away performances, as they have consistently struggled outside of their home ground. This defeat was particularly concerning as it raised doubts about the team's ability to perform under pressure.
The unexpected victory for Almería sparked joy among players and fans alike, marking a moment of triumph particularly significant as they are currently leading the Segunda División.
Stats showed Almería with 18 shots to Sevilla's 13, demonstrating their attacking prowess and eagerness to seize the opportunity against their more highly-regarded opponents.
Almería might now look forward to the next cup round with added confidence, as their recentform has secured them 12 consecutive matches without defeat. Their coach Rubi has steered the team expertly, using this victory to possibly reaffirm their ambitions to climb higher.
Both teams now shift focus to their upcoming Liga fixtures, with Almería hoping to maintain their momentum and Sevilla needing to regroup to address their inconsistencies.