The Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán was the scene of a match full of emotions. Sevilla beat Betis 1-0 in a derby that will be remembered not only for the intensity of the duel on the pitch, but also for the tributes and controversies that broke out once the match was over.
The only goal of the game came in the 50th minute, when Dodi Lukébakio converted a penalty that he himself had caused. The VAR intervened to point out a handball by Diego Llorente inside the area, a decision that was met with protests from the Betic team, but which did not prevent Lukébakio from standing in front of the ball with the confidence of an experienced striker. His shot was precise, unleashing euphoria among the Sevilla fans, who already had a glimpse of victory in one of the most anticipated matches of the season.
However, beyond the result, the focus of the night was on one man: Jesús Navas. The Sevilla captain was playing his last derby, a special match for him not only because of the historical rivalry between the two teams, but because with this performance he reached the mark of 28 derbies played, becoming the footballer with the most appearances in the history of these matches. . The Sevilla fans paid him an emotional tribute. Navas, visibly moved, dedicated his last great performance in a derby to the fans who have supported him so much throughout his career. The end of the game, with the victory in the bag, was the perfect ending to a night that will remain in your memory forever.
But the celebration was not without controversy. During the celebrations, several Sevilla players posed with a flag on the field that quickly ignited social networks and public opinion. In it, the silhouette of the Betis shield appeared crossed out in red, a gesture that many interpreted as a direct provocation towards the rival club. Among the footballers who participated in this scene were some youth players, such as Juanlu Sánchez and José Ángel Carmona or Isaac Romero.
“This is already debatable, there will be people who do not like this type of gesture, because it is good that you raise your shield but there is no reason to cross out any of them,” said Juanma Castaño in Movistar.
