Sevilla 1-0 Atletico Madrid: LaLiga leaders slip up despite Oblak´s penalty heroics

LaLiga’s title race was thrown wide open as Atletico Madrid slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Sevilla despite Jan Oblak’s penalty heroics.

Atleti’s lead could be cut to a solitary point if Barcelona beat Real Valladolid on Monday after Marcos Acuna’s fine header handed fourth-placed Sevilla their first LaLiga win over the capital club since 2016.

Sevilla registered 12 attempts on goal in the first half, one of those seeing Oblak, who also saved a penalty against Deportivo Alaves before the international break, denying Lucas Ocampos from the spot.

Yet Atleti’s luck ran out with 20 minutes remaining, Jesus Navas crossing for fellow full-back Acuna to head home and deliver a blow to Atleti’s hopes of glory.

Oblak’s penalty save against Alaves came in the closing stages, but Atleti needed their goalkeeper much earlier this time around.

Ivan Rakitic drew a foul from Saul Niguez seven minutes in, yet Oblak stood firm to keep out Ocampos’ effort, with Joan Jordan hitting the post a moment later.

9 – Only Diego Alves (10/20) has saved more penalties than Jan Oblak (9/29) since the start of 2014/15 in all competitions among all LaLiga goalkeepers (excluding shootouts). Rescuer. pic.twitter.com/CwEYdye7x6

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 4, 2021

Having faced more attempts on their goal during the first half than in any other game this season, Atleti almost made a fantastic start to the second period – Luis Suarez just failing to read Angel Correa’s cross.

Rakitic sliced over from close range as Sevilla attempted to regain momentum, though Yassine Bounou had to be alert at the other end to keep Koke at bay.

However, Sevilla got the goal their display deserved in the 70th minute – Navas beating a poorly organised Atleti line to centre for Acuna, whose header found the right-hand corner.

Atleti wanted the goal disallowed for a handball earlier in the move, but the VAR saw no reason to rule it out.

Correa seemed destined to salvage a point in stoppage time, only for Bonou to pull off a brilliant stop and condemn Diego Simeone to just a fourth defeat against Sevilla in 23 meetings.

What does it mean? Has the title slipped from Atleti’s grasp?

Atleti looked set to runaway with LaLiga at one point earlier this season, but a run of just four wins from nine games – combined with the consistency of Madrid and Barca behind them – has seen their lead cut right down, and Ronald Koeman’s side will be full of confidence as they prepare to welcome Valladolid to Camp Nou.

As for Sevilla, it is their first league victory over Atleti in nine attempts, and Julen Lopetegui’s team are now 12 points clear of city rivals Real Betis in the Champions League hunt.

Oblak and Bonou both come up big

He may have been on the losing side, but Oblak was once more the standout performer for Atleti – he has now made nine penalty saves since the start of 2014-15, trailing only Diego Alves (10) among LaLiga goalkeepers in that regard.

However, it was his counterpart Bonou who ultimately proved a hero for Sevilla. He had four stops to make but his final one, from Correa’s close-range toe poke, was of supreme quality and secured a deserved victory.

9 – Only Diego Alves