Manchester United’s Champions League conquerors, Sevilla, were their own worst enemy in their first ever quarter-final in the competition as they handed Bayern Munich a huge advantage going into next week’s second leg.
Bayern showed none of the swagger that saw them swipe Borussia Dortmund aside 6-0 at the weekend but they didn’t need to as Sevilla twice diverted shots past their own keeper David Soria in a 2-1 defeat.
Soria started in goal instead of the sometimes shaky but habitual first-choice Sergio Rico but he could do nothing about the deflected goals.
Thiago Alcantara slides on his knees to celebrate after his header put Jupp Heynckes’ side in charge of the quarter-final
Franck Ribery is pumped up after his low cross deflected in to haul Bayern Munich level eight minutes before half-time
Pablo Sarabia grabs the Sevilla badge after netting the game’s opening goal with a calm finish from Sergio Escudero’s cross
Sevilla fans were hoping to see their side defeat another European giant after beating Manchester United in the round of 16
Sevilla boss Vincenzo Montella was a picture of concentration as he attempted to lead the Andalusian side into the semi-finals
Bayern showed their wealth of talent leaving Arjen Robben and James Rodriguez on the bench. They had 34-year-old Franck Ribery, still young enough to have the No 7 shaved into the side of his head, in the starting XI and he was lively early on although he picked up a booking for bringing down Franco Vazquez.
Sevilla started with confidence and when Joaquin Correa took a tumble in the area they thought they had a penalty. There was the slightest contact from Jerome Boateng but the forward’s dive was exaggerated and he was booked for simulation.
Sevilla would be unstoppable if they could finish. Pablo Sarabia put a shot well wide with the goal gaping from Sergio Escudero’s cross with the team’s first chance. But it was very assured start from Vincenzo Montella’s side and the next chance Sarabia got, he took.
Again it was Escudero who crossed and this time Sarabia finished well after getting in front of Juan Bernat. It was his first goal in the Champions League and the already impressive volume cranked up a few more decibels in the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Robert Lewandowski is upended by Clement Lenglet during the early stages of the Champions League quarter-final first leg
Ribery, who was heavily involved in the action early on, sees his shot at goal blocked by Sevilla defender Simon Kjaer
Wissam Ben Yedder, handed a start after his brace against Manchester United, challenges Bayern midfielder Thiago Alcantara
Ribery was shown the first yellow card of the quarter-final after just 13 minutes for a reckless challenge on Ben Yedder
Ben Yedder attemps to get the better of Bayern’s centre back Jerome Boateng as Sevilla made a bright start to the match
Bayern players complained Sarabia had used an arm to control the ball but the goal stood.
On 35 minutes Bayern were forced into their first change. Arturo Vidal could not carry on and Rodriguez made his entrance. It was his pass out to Ribery that brought the equalizer.
Soria was beaten at his near post as right-back Jesus Navas’ outstretched boot diverted Ribery’s cross over the line. It was a huge bucket of cold water over what had been a brilliant first half for the home side.
Sevilla started the second half well and only a goal-saving challenge from Javi Martinez stopped Vazquez from finishing a sweeping move involving Wissam Ben Yedder and Correa. But as the half went on Bayern began to wear the home side down.
Sevilla winger Sarabia can hardly believe it after curling a brilliant chance past the post with the Bayern goal at his mercy
…but Sarabia made no mistake with his next opportunity when he slotted home despite appearing to control with his arm
The goalscorer is mobbed by his team-mates after putting Sevilla in front just minutes after missing a brilliant opportunity
Arturo Vidal was forced off after picking up a knock and was replaced by James Rodriguez in the 36th minute of the first leg
Sevilla looked to be showing the after-effects of a gruelling 2-2 draw with Barcelona at the weekend. And they were missing the ability of the suspended Ever Banega to keep the ball in midfield.
With 20 minutes left Bayern should have taken the lead. Thomas Muller sprinted down the right and Javi Martinez made good contact with his deep cross but Soria batted the ball away for a corner. But minutes later he was beaten by one of his own players for the second time in the game.
It was Thiago Alcantara who headed Ribery’s cross down towards goal. It would have been comfortably scooped up by the Sevilla keeper but when it cannoned off Escudero’s knee he was left wrong-footed and Sevilla were left sliding out of the Champions League.
Lewandowski celebrates after Ribery’s cross squeezed in past Soria via a deflection off the outstretched boot of Jesus Navas
Ribery accepts the plaudits after Navas’ own goal saw the German giants equalise at the Ramon Pizjuan Stadium on Tuesday
Thomas Muller tries to dispossess Escudero during an enticing Champions League quarter-final first leg in southern Spain
Lenglet clears with his head under pressure from Thiago (right) and Mats Hummels (right) as Ben Yedder watches on
Joaquin Correa, who was one of Sevilla’s best players on the night, holds off Joshua Kimmich as he attempts to keep the ball
Thiago watches as his downward header hits the ground via a deflection off Escudero before beating Sevilla keeper Soria
The Spanish midfielder is congratulated by Muller (left), James (second left), Kimmich (second right) and Lewandowski (right)