Sevilla edge past Ceuta in pre-season friendly

Sevilla hosted AD Ceuta at their stadium on a warm July afternoon for what proved to be an engaging pre-season encounter. The home side dominated large periods of play, though the visitors from across the strait showed plenty of bite and organisation in their defensive setup. The friendly had all the hallmarks of a match that mattered, with both sides keen to build momentum ahead of their respective seasons.

The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when P. Fernández fired Sevilla into the lead, giving the hosts what looked like a commanding advantage. Three minutes later, however, AD Ceuta struck back through Anuar to level the match and breathe life into their campaign. The quick response kept the contest wide open and set up an intriguing final stretch.

Sevilla regained their composure after the equaliser and pressed forward in search of a winner. The home team's experience and quality gradually told as the match wore on, and they managed to find another goal to edge ahead. AD Ceuta worked hard to find another leveller but ultimately fell just short of forcing a draw.

The Sevilla 2-1 AD Ceuta result gave the hosts a morale-boosting victory and will serve them well as they prepare for the season ahead. The visitors can take heart from their display against a more established side, though they will rue the missed opportunities to claim at least a point on the road. Both teams will use this fixture as a springboard for what comes next.