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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Karl Matchett

Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid result: Diego Costa misses chance to send Diego Simeone's side top of La Liga

Diego Costa squandered a penalty as Atletico Madrid missed the chance to go top of La Liga on Saturday by drawing 1-1 away to Sevilla and failing to cash in on Barcelona's surprise defeat at Levante earlier in the day.

Sevilla went ahead with a header from Franco Vazquez in the 28th minute and Atletico coach Diego Simeone shook up his side in search of a reaction, sending on Costa and Santiago Arias at the start of the second half.

Costa netted a header shortly after coming on but a VAR review ruled it out for offside against Angel Correa, although Alvaro Morata did manage to equalise with a header soon after, on the hour mark.

Atletico did benefit from the technology being used later in the game when they were given a penalty instead of a free kick as replays showed Koke had been tripped just inside the area.

But Costa failed to make the most of the golden opportunity as Sevilla goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik guessed correctly to beat away the ball and also kept out a shot on the rebound from Koke.

Atletico spurned two glorious chances to snatch all three points in stoppage time as Morata saw a shot blocked on the line by Sevilla's Jules Kounde, prompting a goal-mouth scramble which led to Morata committing a foul.

Visiting midfielder Thomas Partey had one last stab at finding a winner from inside the area but his goal-bound shot was deflected wide.

Atletico have now drawn half of their 12 league games and are third in the standings on 21 points, with Barca top on 22 with a game in hand despite their 3-1 loss at Levante. Relive all the action:

Welcome to The Independent's live coverage as Sevilla and Atletico Madrid battle it out for top spot in La Liga.
Good evening! It's La Liga, it's the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan and it's Sevilla vs. Atletico Madrid. Straight into it then with the lineups:
 
Sevilla: Vaclik, Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Reguilon, Banega, Gudelj, Vazquez, Ocampos, Oliver, De Jong.
 
Atletico: Oblak, Trippier, Hermoso, Felipe, Lodi, Koke, Saul, Thomas, Lemar, Correa, Morata.
KICK OFF
Kick-off! Always a big game, this one - and even more so today, perhaps, as a win for either team would see them go top. If you haven't already seen, there was a surprise result earlier as Levante beat Barcelona 3-1 after being a goal down.
Sevilla 0-0 Atletico Madrid
 
4' - Positive approach from the home side to start the game, but Atleti look very dangerous on the counter. Lemar's cross from the left is headed over by Correa.
Sevilla 0-0 Atletico Madrid
 
9' - Very tight start, both teams giving the ball away a little easily so far. Jesus Navas fumes at the ref and nearly tears his captain's armband off when he doesn't get a corner - which is a fair enough decision as the ball came off his boot.
Sevilla 0-0 Atletico Madrid
 
13' - Simeone is spoken to by the ref after a bit of a gripe. Might not be the last occasion that happens tonight. Ocampos almost gets in down the right but Atleti recover.
Sevilla 0-0 Atletico Madrid
 
17' - Atletico making the better running in the opening stages, but no great semblance of creativity around the box yet. A long-range strike from Koke is smashed over the bar - that's the first real shot of the game.
 
Sevilla 0-0 Atletico Madrid
 
21' - Jesus Navas cuts in off the right and fires one well over now - left-footed and 25 yards out, so not a surprising outcome.
YELLOW CARD
Sevilla 0-0 Atletico Madrid
 
26' - Renan Lodi goes into the book for clattering Navas who dribbles past him. Navas waves an imaginary card and the ref obliges.
GOAL!
GOAL! Sevilla 1-0 Atletico Madrid
 
Opening goal! Banega delivers the free-kick, Vazquez nods down into the ground and Oblak can't get enough on the ball to keep it out - 1-0 to Sevilla!
Sevilla 1-0 Atletico Madrid
 
31' - Perhaps a feeling that Oblak might have done better there, but for sure there's a question mark over the defending. Nobody on Vazquez at all, who is running onto the penalty spot in loads of space.
 
Sevilla 1-0 Atletico Madrid
 
35' - Morata is drawing a big box in the air towards the ref - he wants a penalty from a VAR review. Nobody is really interested.
YELLOW CARD
Sevilla 1-0 Atletico Madrid
 
39' - A lofted ball into the box but it's offside; Atletico not really showing inventiveness at the moment. Straight lines and high balls aren't going to easily get through Sevilla's back line. Oliver Torres is booked for a foul on Trippier.
Sevilla 1-0 Atletico Madrid
 
44' - Atletico struggling to make any headway here. Sevilla easily clearing away their crosses and direct balls over the top.
 
HALF TIME
Half time
 
Sevilla 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Second half time! We are back underway at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
SUBS
Sevilla 1-0 Atletico Madrid
 
47' - A double change at the break for Atleti; Simeone is clearly unhappy with what he has seen.
 
Arias and Diego Costa are on for Trippier and Lemar.
Sevilla 1-0 Atletico Madrid
 
51' - A much more aggressive start to the half from Atleti. Sevilla standing firm, but they know they'll come under pressure in this period.
 

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