Osasuna 1 Sevilla 0:Osasuna dented Sevilla's hopes of making a successful defence of their Uefa Cup crown when they beat the Andalucians 1-0 at home in the first leg of an all-Spanish semi-final last night.
Striker Roberto Soldado scored the winner 10 minutes into the second half when he got in front of two defenders to send a header spinning past Sevilla goalkeeper David Cobeno after midfielder David Lopez had clipped a free-kick into the penalty area.
It was a bitter-sweet game for Soldado - who is on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season - as he will miss next week's second leg after picking up a booking moments before the goal.
Osasuna - who crushed German side Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 on aggregate in the last round - were unlucky not to come away with a more emphatic win as Lopez, Soldado and striker Savo Milosevic all went close to extending their side's lead soon after the goal.
With Osasuna in complete control, the game was held up when Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar tore a muscle in his calf and it had to be restarted six minutes later with fourth official Pieter Vink in charge.
Substitute Alexander Kerzhakov was inches away from equalising for Sevilla late on with a superb flicked volley - but his side were otherwise below par on the night.
OSASUNA: Ricardo, Izquierdo, Cuellar, Raul Garcia, Cruchaga, Milosevic (Valdo 87), Punal, Juanfran, David Lopez, Soldado (Webo 81), Corrales. Subs not used: Elia, Josetxo, Javier Flano, Munoz, Erice. Booked: Soldado, Cuellar. Goals: Soldado 55.
SEVILLA: Cobeno, Javi Navarro, Daniel, Adriano Correia (Puerta 90), Poulsen, Luis Fabiano (Kerzhakov 61), Kanoute, Escude, Jesus Navas, Marti (Hinkel 76), Dragutinovic. Subs not used: Palop, Chevanton, Aitor Ocio, Maresca. Booked: Poulsen, Kanoute, Luis Fabiano. Att: 19,500.
Referee: E Braamhaar (Netherlands)
