Sevilla wins Trofeo Puertas de Córdoba on penalties as Isaac Romero seals victory
Sevilla beat Cordoba on penalties to win the Trofeo Puertas de Cordoba, Isaac Romero scoring the decisive spot-kick after Theo Zidane missed in a 0-0 friendly.
Sevilla were declared winners of the Trofeo Puertas de Córdoba after a goalless match was decided by penalties, with Isaac Romero converting the decisive spot-kick following a miss from Theo Zidane. The friendly at the Nuevo Arcángel provided both sides with a preseason workout while offering a competitive finish for the local trophy. The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and was decided 5-4 in the shootout, underlining finishing issues for both teams during the regular period.
Match summary and decisive moments
Sevilla and Córdoba remained deadlocked through a largely even 90 minutes before the shootout resolved the fixture. Alberto Flores produced a key early save from the spot, keeping the score level and setting the tone for a match without a breakthrough. When penalties arrived, Córdoba converted the opener but Sevilla held their nerve, and Isaac Romero ultimately dispatched the winning kick after Theo Zidane failed to convert. The crowd of 12,127 at the Nuevo Arcángel saw a tight encounter decided by the narrowest of margins.
Play in regular time offered only sporadic clear-cut opportunities, and both managers used the fixture primarily to assess form and fitness. The referee sent off Kevin Medina and Carmona late on, leaving both teams to finish with ten men, but the dismissals did not alter the scoreline. Tactical changes and substitutions dominated the second half as each coach searched for attacking combinations that would produce the elusive goal.
García Plaza’s rotation and Córdoba’s youth emphasis
Sevilla coach Luis García Plaza used the match to juggle minutes and manage conditioning ahead of a busy preseason schedule. García Plaza fielded a notably young XI at the start, reflecting his rotation policy across a week that includes multiple friendlies. The manager made a clear choice to rest established starters while giving academy prospects valuable playing time under match conditions.
Across the touchline, Córdoba boss Iván Ania also prioritized squad assessment and introduced new faces after the break. Ania handed a debut in goal to former Betis man Guilherme after halftime, seeking to integrate recruits and test options ahead of the competitive season. Both coaches balanced the need for competitive minutes with caution, mindful that these matches are preparatory rather than definitive.
First half: limited action and an early penalty save
The opening 45 minutes offered limited narrative beyond a single decisive intervention from Alberto Flores. Córdoba were awarded a penalty in the first half after Diego Bri went down and the referee pointed to the spot for a handball, but Flores read the kick and turned aside Carracedo’s tame effort. That moment preserved the blank sheet and was arguably the most significant event of a first half that featured promising flashes from youth players rather than sustained attacking pressure.
Sevilla began to find more rhythm as the half progressed, with Nico Guillén prominent in moving the ball and linking play. Youngsters such as Jesuly, Manuel Ángel and Jesús Cruz caught the eye at different moments with encouraging touches and composure on the ball. Cordoba, comfortable in front of their home crowd, attempted to control tempo but could not build the sustained sequences required to open the scoring.
Second half: fresh lineups and rising chances
The second period arrived with wholesale personnel changes that altered both teams’ profiles on the pitch. New combinations created more openings, and the match developed a livelier feel after the break as both benches sought to spark the game. Isaac Romero tested the keeper early in the half, only to be denied in a one-on-one by Guilherme, whose save prevented what might have been the contest’s first goal.
Sevilla’s offensive contributions increased, highlighted by a left-sided cross from Peque that narrowly evaded connection by Miguel Sierra. Córdoba also pushed forward at intervals, with promising runs and set-piece moments that kept the match competitive. Despite those chances, the forwards lacked the clinical edge to convert opportunities into goals, leaving the trophy to be decided from the spot.
Penalty shootout and the key takers
The trophy was ultimately decided by a composed penalty sequence that featured both clinical finishes and a crucial mistake. Penalties progressed through alternating conversions until Theo Zidane stepped up and missed for Córdoba, a pivotal moment that handed Sevilla the advantage. Isaac Romero then stroked home the decisive kick, completing a shootout that ended 5-4 in Sevilla’s favor.
The shootout sequence reflected the match’s broader narrative: narrow margins and fine margins between success and failure. Both sides displayed confidence from the spot in most attempts, but one miss proved decisive. Goalkeepers on both teams were tested in high-pressure moments, with goalkeeper reactions and placement ultimately shaping the final result.
Individual performances and tactical takeaways
Several young players delivered encouraging displays, underlining the depth of both squads at the start of the preseason. Nico Guillén offered control and passing quality for Sevilla, while Jesuly, Manuel Ángel and Jesús Cruz provided intermittent attacking intent and confidence on the ball. For Córdoba, the work of Diego Bri and other academy graduates reinforced the club’s approach of using friendlies to promote internal talent.
From a tactical perspective, Sevilla struggled at times to find depth and cutting edge in the final third, issues Luis García Plaza will want addressed as the transfer window progresses. The manager openly hopes for reinforcements to add experience and attacking bite, a point underscored by the team’s reliance on set pieces and narrow attempts. Córdoba, meanwhile, showed defensive organisation and resilience, but will expect more fluency and finishing as their preparations continue.
Sevilla’s victory in the Trofeo Puertas de Córdoba provides a morale boost and a competitive test ahead of the season, but the match also highlighted work that remains to be done in attack and in converting possession into goals.
Attendance at the Nuevo Arcángel reached 12,127, with more than 500 Sevilla supporters travelling for the fixture and adding a lively atmosphere to the local trophy. The match gave supporters a first look at new and emerging players and provided both coaching staffs with clear data on fitness levels and tactical options. As preseason continues, each side will take specific lessons from the contest and aim to refine their squads for the coming campaign.
Sevilla leave Córdoba with the silverware but also a reminder that preseason victories must be matched with sharper attacking form when competitive matches begin.
