Top-four hopefuls Sevilla made the trip to in-form Celta Vigo in Sunday's final La Liga clash.
The visitors entered the interval with a one-goal lead courtesy of an eighth-minute effort from Kevin Gameiro.
Celta were level in the 58th minute, however, when Santi Mina converted from the penalty spot.
The home side remain 10th in the table, while Sevilla are still fifth and now three points off the top four.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Balaidos as Celta Vigo welcome Sevilla. Both sides are enjoying strong ends to the season, with Celta pushing for the top seven and Sevilla very much in the race for fourth position. It has all the makings of another entertaining match!
As it stands, this round of La Liga fixtures are the only confirmed matches in Spain's top flight before the end of the season. All Spanish football competitions will be suspended on May 16 amid a strike that relates to TV rights. The Spanish Football Federation are in a disagreement with the government, but there is hope that the situation will be rectified over the next week. Let's hope so anyway!
Celta are due to finish with games against Valencia (A) and Espanyol (H) and they are still in the race to finish in the top seven. As it stands, Eduardo Berizzo's team are 10th in the table on 46 points – just four behind seventh-place Malaga. They have also only lost just one of their last six in the league and that was against Real Madrid. On their day, Celta can match the very best teams in La Liga.
Sevilla, meanwhile, lost 3-2 at home to Real Madrid in their last league match, but they are still just four points behind fourth-place Valencia. Unai Emery's side will also enter the game off the back of a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. At home, Sevilla have been stunning this season, but they have dropped points in eight of their 17 away league games.
Sevilla were 1-0 winners in the corresponding league match earlier this season, but Celta have won the last two meetings between the two sides in this stadium without conceding a single goal. That said, Celta's home league record has been hit-and-miss this season – recording seven wins, four draws and six defeats in front of their own supporters. Right, just about time for the team news here...
TEAMS:
CELTA: Sergio; Gomez, Costas, Fontas, Jonny; Augusto, Krohn-Dehli; Pablo, Mina, Orellana; Charles
SEVILLA: Rico; Coke, Arribas, Kolo, Navarro; Diogo, Krychowiak, Iborra, Suarez; Aspas, Gameiro
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the first 45 minutes underway.
It is a much-changed Sevilla XI this evening, while their manager Unai Emery is not here following the death of his father. Celta, however, have selected a recognisable XI, albeit with a few suspensions. As expected, it has been a bright start from the home side, with Mina already breaking down the left.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park in the early moments, with both sides flying into challenges. Celta have had most of the possession inside four minutes, but no chances thus far.
Celta continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field, but Sevilla are nice and solid at the back and have managed to deal with the pressure thus far. it has been the start that many expected.
Just a reminder that victory for Sevilla would move them to within one point of the top four, but Celta have their eye on a top-seven finish. Neither side has been able to create a clear chance thus far.
GOAL! Celta 0-1 Sevilla (Gameiro)
Breakthrough Sevilla! The visitors take the lead in the eighth minute as Gameiro combines with Aspas before flashing one into the far corner. It is a super finish and Gameiro's 17th of the season!
That strike from Gameiro has really impacted Celta, who now look uncomfortable in possession of the ball. This is an under-strength Sevilla XI, but the club as a whole has such confidence at the moment.
SAVE! Gameiro has a wonderful chance to score a second for Sevilla after breaking into the Celta box, but Sergio is on hand to make a super save. The Frenchman is on fire at the moment!
Celta want a penalty as Charles tangles with Navarro inside the box, but the referee is not interested. In truth, it would have been harsh on the visitors. The opening 13 minutes have flown past here!
Aspas tries his luck from outside the Celta box, but Sergio is on hand to make the save.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to level as Mina delivers a super cross onto the head of Charles, but the Brazilian glances wide of the post. What an opportunity!
It is a cracking game at the moment, with both teams threatening in the final third of the field. Gameiro and Aspas are forming a nice partnership for Sevilla, while Celta are still very much a threat down the other end. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there is one - could be vital.
Celta are enjoying plenty of the ball at the moment as they continue to pass and probe, but they are finding it difficult to break through this Sevilla defence, while the visitors are dangerous on the counter. Just a reminder that, as it stands, Sevilla are moving one point off fourth-place Valencia.
Celta boss Berizzo is in trouble as he exchanges words with the referee, but it does appear that the Argentine will be allowed to remain on the sidelines. It just isn't happening for his team here.
Celta continue to threaten in wide areas, but the final pass has been a problem. Mina slides a wonderful ball into Charles, but the Brazilian's cross is headed clear by the towering Kolo.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and still Sevilla lead courtesy of that super finish from Gameiro. In truth, Celta should be level, with Charles passing up a wonderful opportunity.
Celta are 10th at the moment, but three points here would very much put them in the race for the top seven, which makes this match even more important. Sevilla are so good on the counter-attack.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Sevilla to score a second as Diogo delivers a wonderful cross towards Gameiro, but the Frenchman fires wide from close range. What an opportunity!
Possession football for Celta as we enter the final stages of this first period and Orellana has a half-chance when he finds space outside the box, but the Chilean's effort is wide of the post.
Another half-chance for the home side as Orellana finds the head of Pablo Hernandez inside the Sevilla box, but his header was always moving wide of the post under good pressure from Navarro.
BOOKING! Coke (Sevilla) is booked for chopping Fontas to the ground just outside the box...
... Orellana strikes the resulting free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall.
Little over five minutes of football remaining in the first period and Sevilla still lead courtesy of that excellent finish from Gameiro. You just get the feeling that there are more goals in this though.
BOOKING! Aspas (Sevilla) is booked for delaying the taking of a free kick.
BOOKING! Rico (Sevilla) is booked for time-wasting.
Slightly untidy period of the match at the moment as the referee is forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Sevilla remain one goal ahead with 43 minutes on the clock here.
POST! Sevilla come close to scoring a second as Arribas meets a super cross from Suarez, but the Spaniard's header clips off the outside of the post. So close to 2-0 Sevilla here!
Plenty of possession for Celta as we approach the break, but Sevilla are defending so well.
Just the one additional minute to play at the end of this first period.
BOOKING! Augusto (Celta) is booked for dissent.
HALF-TIME: Celta 0-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Sevilla leading 1-0 courtesy of a super finish from Gameiro after eight minutes. Both teams have had opportunities to add to the scoring, but some lacklustre finishing has kept the score down. It has been an entertaining game.
STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 70%, but they have not yet hit the target, with all six of their attempts failing to test Rico. Sevilla, however, have registered three of their five attempts on target. There have also been five yellows issued in a feisty first 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH! Celta are without a number of key players through suspension, but head coach Berizzo does have options on his bench in the shape of Bongonda and Madinda. Sevilla, meanwhile, have the likes of Bacca, Banega, Vitolo, Vidal and Deulofeu on an extremely-attacking bench.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Celta find a route back into this match? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes underway here.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15 or 20 minutes in Vigo.
BOOKING! A booking has been confirmed for Mina (Celta). It is understood that the youngster was involved in an incident at the end of the first period when the players were leaving the field.
Half-chance for Gameiro to score a second as the Frenchman races into the Celta box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Celta remain in control of the possession with 49 minutes played.
You just get the feeling that Celta need to score the next goal in this game if they are to secure a positive result. It is difficult to imagine Sevilla giving up a two-goal lead, especially this Sevilla.
Plenty of possession for Celta, but they just cannot find a way through this Sevilla defence, which is so strong and well-drilled. It really is a fascinating tactical battle at the moment in Vigo.
Celta again exchange passes in the final third before Mina attempts to break through, but Arribas is on hand to clear the danger. There has been a similar pattern all evening and it is working for Sevilla.
Krohn-Dehli drives to the edge of the Sevilla box before letting fly, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Celta do not have too many forward options on their bench this evening.
PENALTY CELTA!
Celta are awarded a penalty as the referee adjudges that Arribas has brought Charles to the ground inside the box. It is a little harsh for me, but the referee was in no doubt about the decision.
GOAL! Celta 1-1 Sevilla (Mina, pen)
Mina fires his penalty into the bottom corner and we are on terms here.
BOOKING! Krychowiak (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Hernandez.
Well, that has set us up very nicely for the final 30 minutes here. On the balance of play, Celta deserve to be on level terms. Still no movement on either bench at this stage of events in Vigo.
SUB! Sevilla make their first change as Bacca replaces Aspas.
In truth, a 1-1 draw would not be the worst result for either team, but it would harm Celta's push for the top seven and Sevilla's push for the top four. Is there going to be a vital third goal in this game?
Charles seems to be getting a lot of decisions from the referee at the moment, which is not going down well with the Sevilla players! That penalty incident really was poor form from Charles.
CLOSE! Jonny bends a dangerous free kick just wide of the Sevilla post.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla as a swift counter ends with Bacca curling one towards the top corner, but Sergio is on hand to make a really smart save. All opening up now!
SUB! Sevilla make their second change as Vidal replaces Diogo.
The referee has been involved for most of the evening and that is continuing at the moment as the challenges continue to fly in from both teams. Still the score is 1-1 with 20 minutes remaining.
Mina finds space outside the Sevilla box before firing one towards the top corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The youngster has developed into such a vital player for Celta.
SAVE! Excellent goalkeeping from Rico as the Sevilla stopper denies Orellana, who had danced into the box before firing a powerful effort towards the bottom corner. Super save.
SUB! Sevilla make their third change as Vitolo replaces Suarez.
SUB! Celta make their first change as Bongonda replaces Charles.
CHANCE! Celta have another chance to take the lead as Orellana combines with Mina before attempting to slide home from a difficult angle, but once again Rico is out to make the challenge!
It is all Celta at the moment as they continue to probe in the final third, with Orellana and Mina both causing a number of problems. Sevilla, however, will always be dangerous on the counter here.
Sevilla just look a little bit tired at the moment as Celta continue to force the issue in the final third. On the balance of play, the home side deserve to be ahead at this stage. It is so delicately poised!
Celta again threaten as Orellana drives down the right before delivering a super cross towards Hernandez, but Kolo just manages to clear at the vital moment. Sevilla are under such pressure here.
SUB! Celta make their second change as Madinda replaces Hernandez.
It has been an untidy last couple of minutes, with Celta guilty of a couple of late challenges. Sevilla are almost settling for a share of the spoils, but Celta only know one way to play, especially here.
Sevilla have just managed to ease the pressure in the last couple of minutes and it is causing a lot of frustration inside the stadium. A goal at this stage would surely be enough for all three points.
Not too much happening as we approach the 90-minute mark here.
CHANCE! Orellana once again drives into the Sevilla box, but the Chilean just moves too wide and his final effort is over the crossbar. Orellana has been so impressive tonight.
We are into the second minute of three added here.
BOOKING! Costas (Celta) is booked for a late challenge on Bacca.
Sevilla deliver a deep free kick into the Celta box, but the danger is cleared...
... Celta break with Orellana, but the move breaks down and that should be just about that.
FULL-TIME: Celta 1-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the points being shared in an entertaining 1-1 draw. Celta remain 10th in the table - three points from the top seven. Sevilla, meanwhile, are now three points off fourth. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
