Sevilla win at NEC Nijmegen as Isaac Romero and Ibra secure 2-1 victory in Goffertstadion
Sevilla win at NEC Nijmegen with Isaac Romero and Ibra Sow scoring in a 2-1 friendly victory at the Goffertstadion on July 31, 2026.
Sevilla opened their Netherlands training camp with a 2-1 victory over NEC Nijmegen at the Goffertstadion, a result that combined tactical discipline with late attacking reward. Isaac Romero levelled the match late in the first half and Ibra Sow completed the turnaround in the 83rd minute to seal the preseason win. The match provided García Plaza a chance to test a mixed starting XI, while giving fringe players valuable minutes ahead of the LaLiga opener on August 15, 2026. The win at NEC Nijmegen offered encouraging signs for Sevilla’s depth even as the club continues to search for a specialist No.9.
First half swings: Ouaissa opens and Romero answers
NEC Nijmegen took the lead in the 27th minute when Ouaissa finished a quick one-two with Linssen to put the hosts ahead. The goal came after sustained pressure from the home side, who opened spaces with an aggressive, advanced formation. Sevilla responded before halftime when Isaac Romero followed up on a goalkeeper parry to equalize in the 37th minute, restoring parity after a nervy opening period. The first half also featured a stoppage moment as an altercation between Sangante and Chery prompted tensions just before the teams went in for the interval.
García Plaza’s mixed XI and the tactical approach
Head coach Luis García Plaza fielded a mixed eleven that blended academy prospects with senior figures, prioritizing a compact defensive shape against an offensively inclined NEC. Sevilla began with a midfield that leaned on youth and energy, using Jesuly, Peque and Oso to press and transition quickly. The visitors defended in numbers when NEC pushed forward, relying on Sangante and Kike Salas to manage space centrally. That setup conceded some early chances but ultimately allowed Sevilla to control phases of possession and limit clear-cut opportunities.
Second half reset and substitutions change the game
García Plaza made nine substitutions at the break, a wholesale reset that shifted the match’s rhythm and priorities for both sides. With Guridi and Agoumé introduced in midfield, Sevilla sought to stabilize possession and reduce the number of long balls toward NEC’s forwards. The second half saw fewer openings for the hosts as Sevilla’s ball circulation improved and Odysseas, the visiting goalkeeper, was seldom seriously troubled. The substitution pattern reflected a desire to evaluate match fitness across the squad while protecting key players ahead of competitive fixtures.
Debut of Julio Díaz and the impact of the forwards
One of the notable moments after halftime was the debut of Julio Díaz, who became Sevilla’s fifth summer signing to appear for the club. Díaz’s entrance underlined the club’s transfer activity and the coaching staff’s willingness to integrate new recruits during the tour. Ibra Sow, operating as a forward during his minutes, combined persistence and opportunism to challenge NEC’s back line. The two goals for Sevilla were scored by the club’s only available forwards on the trip, underscoring the ongoing search for a definitive No.9 before the season starts.
Ibra Sow finishes the comeback with low-driven strike
Ibra Sow capped the comeback in the 83rd minute when he won a contested ball from a long clearance and slotted a low finish past the home goalkeeper. The sequence began with a long kick from Odysseas that Sow and NEC’s Moslih contested, and the Senegalese forward’s determination produced the decisive touch. That winning strike highlighted Sow’s capacity to be present in the box and to finish under pressure, valuable traits as Sevilla assesses attacking options in preseason. NEC pressed late for an equaliser, but Sevilla’s goalkeeper denied Monteiro and preserved the lead until the final whistle.
Match details, discipline and squad rotation
The referee for the friendly was Van der Laan of the Netherlands, who issued multiple yellow cards across both benches and player groups during a competitive but controlled encounter. Bookings were shown to Manu Bueno, Sangante, Bischoff, Chery, Agoumé, Ouaissa, Isaac Romero and Juan Iglesias as the match featured high-intensity challenges and heated moments. Sevilla’s rotation policy allowed most squad members to log useful minutes, with Odysseas, Juan Iglesias, Julio Díaz, Iker Muñoz, Guridi, Agoumé, Miguel Sierra, Manuel Ángel, Ibra and Jesús Cruz appearing during the second half. NEC’s starting lineup included Gonzalo, Storm and Linssen, while Pereira, Monteiro and Emre Mor featured off the bench.
Transfer context and Sevilla’s goalkeeping update
Off the field, Sevilla continue to work on transfers that will shape the squad for the season ahead, particularly in the striker and goalkeeper positions. The club is reported to be finalizing the arrival of Fran González to bolster goalkeeping options, a move that would strengthen depth behind Odysseas. The appearance of Julio Díaz as the fifth reinforcement reflects Sevilla’s summer strategy of adding youth and versatility. Meanwhile, the club’s ongoing efforts to secure a dedicated center-forward remain a priority as preseason progresses toward competitive fixtures.
Fitness, positives and areas to refine
From a fitness and tactical standpoint, the match offered Sevilla useful takeaways: improved ball control in the second half, a more composed midfield axis with Guridi and Agoumé, and finishing contributions from the forwards on duty. On the flip side, the first half exposed occasional lapses in concentration that allowed NEC to create and convert chances. Set-piece delivery and finishing from earlier opportunities were areas the coaching staff will likely emphasize in training. The balance between youth development and competitive readiness was on display, giving García Plaza data to shape his LaLiga squad.
Upcoming fixtures and schedule leading to the LaLiga opener
Sevilla’s preseason schedule continues swiftly after the Goffertstadion win, with the team scheduled to face FC Utrecht on Sunday, August 2, 2026, and then conclude their warm-up program against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The club’s LaLiga season opens at home against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, August 15, 2026, a match that will mark the end of preparations and the start of competitive priorities. NEC Nijmegen, for their part, will begin their Eredivisie campaign on the weekend of August 1–2, 2026 against Telstar, with a European qualifying tie against Olympiacos following in the early days of August.
Sevilla’s performance in Nijmegen provided a controlled template for the final weeks of preparation, blending competitive edge with squad experimentation. The win adds momentum and match sharpness while highlighting the specific reinforcement needs the club faces before August’s competitive fixtures. Managers and sporting directors will take the performance data into account as they finalize transfer activity and set lineups for the season ahead.
The match ended 2-1 to Sevilla, with goals from Ouaissa (27′) for NEC, Isaac Romero (37′) for Sevilla and Ibra Sow (83′) sealing the victory at the Goffertstadion.
