MADRID: Sevilla twice came from behind to claim a 4-3 win at Celta Vigo in a chaotic La Liga game on Monday to strengthen their hold on fourth place and give themselves an outside chance of rejoining the title race.

Sevilla defender Jules Kounde gave the visitors an early lead at Balaidos only for an Iago Aspas double to quickly put the hosts in charge. Sevilla’s Fernando equalised later in the first half before Brais Mendez restored Celta’s lead.

Ivan Rakitic pulled Julen Lopetegui’s side level on the hour-mark before substitute Papu Gomez snatched the winner in the 76th minute.

A fourth win in five league games took Sevilla on to 61 points after 30 games and a 14-point gap over both fifth-placed Real Sociedad and sixth-placed Real Betis, practically securing the team the final qualification spot for the Champions League with eight rounds remaining.

The comeback win also put Sevilla six points points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who have stumbled at the top recently.

Julen Lopetegui’s team are four points behind third-placed Barcelona and five from second-placed Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane’s Real beat Barca 2-1 in Saturday’s Clasico at the Alfredo di Stefano, while Atletico drew 1-1 at Betis on Sunday for their second consecutive setback.

For weeks it has looked like only Real and Barca could overhaul struggling Atletico but 13 points from 15 has put Sevilla back in sight of the top three.

Sevilla were coming off a 1-0 home win against Atletico. Next Sunday they visit Sociedad.

“More than ever we have to have faith in ourselves and keep doing what we have been doing so far this season,” Lopetegui said.

Celta, who were seeking their second win in a row in the league, are 10th on 37 points.

Sevilla went ahead in the seventh minute with a towering header from Kounde but lost their lead in the 20th when the French defender fouled Santi Mina in the area and Aspas levelled from the penalty spot.

Aspas struck again three minutes later to complete a quick counterattack but Fernando levelled for Sevilla in the 35th with a shot that took a heavy deflection off Celta’s Joseph Aidoo.

Spanish forward Mendez put Celta back in front with a marvellous goal near halftime, winning the ball back from Rakitic with a hefty tackle then surging into the area to control a through ball from Denis Suarez before coolly lobbing keeper Bono from inside the box.

Rakitic got his own back by appearing unmarked in the box to slot Sevilla’s equaliser.

Lopetegui then threw on three substitutes including Gomez in search of a win and the move paid off when the Argentine chased down Celta’s Aidoo and curled the ball high into the net just before he stepped into the area.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2021