FOOTBALL – Barely into La Liga 2022/23 season, and already 7 red cards have been issued. Players are fighting from the start, jockeying for their team´s position in the table.
With the first round of matches gone, yesterday saw Espanyol lose at home to Rayo Vallecano. And Sevilla could only manage a point in their home game against Valladolid. All four teams received red cards.
Sevilla 1 -1 Valladolid
Both sides were denied many chances at goal. And despite Sevilla having 6 corners within the first 20 minutes, the first half came and went goalless. In fact, the first goal only came in the last 10 minutes. In the 80th minute Anuar Tuhami of Valladolid took the ball straight through the middle of the Sevilla defence.
However, the celebrations were short lived when just 6 minutes later, Karim Rekik of Sevilla equalised due to a blunder by the Valladolid goalkeeper. The ball came straight to Sergio Asenjo but seemed to just slip through his hands. Rekik took full advantage and put the ball in the net.
Then a couple of minutes later, the real drama of the match happened. Lucas Ocampos produced a dangerous tackle and was given a yellow card. Chaos then ensued as both benches ran onto the field. After the commotion calmed down, a player from each bench Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid) and Marcos Acuña (Sevilla) was shown the red card for violent behaviour.
Eight minutes of stoppage time were then added to the game. But it remained 1-1 with both teams taking a point. Moreover, the game produced 5 yellow cards and 2 red cards.
Espanyol 0 – 2 Rayo Vallecano
Both teams were reduced to ten players 30 minutes into the first half. Florian Lejeune was dismissed after receiving 2 yellow cards. The first came after 14 minutes, with his second just 2 minutes later. Then, after a VAR decision, Sergi Gomez was directly shown red, and sent off for previously elbowing a player in the face.
The first goal came for Isi Palazon 5 minutes before the end of the first half, putting Rayo in front. The second goal came after 59 minutes. The Madrid side were now 2 goals ahead. However, the game ended like that also with 5 yellow cards, and 2 red cards. Rayo Vallecano currently sit top of the league.
Next games to be played
Saturday August 9
- Osasuna v Cadiz
- Mallorca v Real Betis
- Celta Vigo v Real Madrid
Sunday August 10
- Athletic Club v Valencia
- Atletico Madrid v Villarreal
- Real Sociedad v Barcelona
Monday August 11
- Elche v Almeria
- Girona v Getafe
