Sevilla left Riazor with a 1-0 win, ending Deportivo's unbeaten start. Sierra scored the only goal, and disciplined defending kept Deportivo at bay. The hosts struggled to respond and suffered their first defeat of the campaign.
Sevilla put a stop to Deportivo's strong start, leaving Riazor with a 1-0 win that ended the home team's unbeaten run. It's Sevilla's fourth win in six matches and the first time Deportivo has lost this season, snapping a five-game streak that had drawn attention in the Spanish press.
The match was decided by Sierra, a young player wearing a reserve number but showing real composure. He scored just as Deportivo seemed to be finding their rhythm, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. Deportivo, who hadn't lost all season, suddenly found themselves chasing a game that slipped away quickly. Sierra's goal came in the 52nd minute, after a spell of Sevilla pressure and a rebound off Deportivo's goalkeeper.
The match at Riazor drew an official attendance of 28,506 spectators, highlighting the significance of the fixture for both clubs.
The first half offered little excitement. Deportivo looked flat and couldn't get control, while Sevilla kept the ball but rarely threatened Leo Román's goal. Most of Sevilla's possession didn't lead to real chances, with only a few tame efforts and one dangerous shot from Agoumé after a turnover. Several post-match reports noted that Sevilla's control didn't translate into many scoring opportunities before the break.
Antonio Hidalgo made five changes to Deportivo's starting lineup from the previous match in Getafe, a decision that backfired. Key players like Mario Soriano started on the bench, and three of the four defenders had missed much of preseason. The lack of cohesion showed as Deportivo struggled to play out from the back, with their usual fluency replaced by uncertainty. This tactical risk left Deportivo exposed to Sevilla's pressing and quick transitions.
Sevilla, meanwhile, made the most of what they had. With a squad full of players looking to prove themselves, they stuck to a disciplined plan that frustrated Deportivo. Their pressing and organization left the home side with few options, and even the introductions of Adama Traoré and later Soriano couldn't change the flow of the game.
After Sierra's goal, Deportivo's situation worsened when Angeliño was sent off with a straight red card in the 59th minute, as confirmed by several independent sources. This left Deportivo with ten men for over half an hour, significantly reducing their chances of mounting a comeback.
Sierra's goal capped off Sevilla's pressure and Deportivo's growing frustration. Things got worse for the hosts when Angeliño was sent off after a VAR review for a late challenge on Sierra, leaving Deportivo with ten men for the final half hour. Down a player and running out of ideas, Deportivo managed just one real shot on target in 96 minutes—a half-chance from Bil Nsongo that Vlachodimos saved easily.
Sevilla's pragmatic approach stood in contrast to Deportivo's gamble. The visitors now have 13 points from six matches, quietly building a solid start to the season. For Deportivo, this loss is a reminder that heavy rotation and experimentation can backfire, especially against teams that make the most of their chances. Reports from Spanish sports outlets note that Sevilla's win moved them into the Champions League qualification spots, underlining the result's importance in the La Liga standings.
The match itself may not have been a classic, but the result at Riazor shows how much discipline and timing matter. As seen in other recent Spanish fixtures, the margin for error is slim in a season where every point counts. Sevilla's ability to grind out results with a patched-together squad hints at a resilience that could shape their season, while Deportivo will need to regroup quickly to recover their early form.
