MADRID: Sevilla’s slim hopes of winning the LaLiga title ended on Friday after they were held to a 1-1 home draw by relegation-threatened Cadiz.

Sevilla moved up to second in the table on 64 points and with four games left, they can no longer overhaul Real Madrid at the top of the standings. Real have 78 points and also have a game in hand.

Only third-placed Barcelona, who are on 63 points with five games left, still hold a mathematical chance of catching the runaway leaders.

The point gained by Cadiz thanks to Lucas Perez’ sublime second half free-kick doubled their advantage over Granada, who are in the final relegation spot.

Sevilla opened the scoring through striker Youssef En-Nesyri, who nodded home Ivan Rakitic’s orner cross in the seventh minute.

But Cadiz, continued to pile on the pressure as they desperately searched for the equaliser.

Eventually, Perez converted a splendid free kick from the edge of the penalty box in the 66th, as the ball curled in off the left post after Sevilla midfielder Joan Jordan was penalised for a clumsy tackle.

Cadiz host Elche next weekend in their attempt to stay in the top-flight after promotion in 2020.

Sevilla head to Champions League semi-finalists Villarreal on May 8 and also have a tricky trip to Atletico Madrid during their final four games of the season.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2022