Sevilla 1 Bayern Munich 2: Thiago completes Champions League comeback win in Seville

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Tom Doyle3 April 2018

Bayern Munich have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals after completing a 2-1 comeback win against Sevilla.

Pablo Sarabia atoned for a horror miss by putting the hosts a goal up in Seville after 20 minutes, but Franck Ribery's deflected cross handed the Germans a valuable away goal soon after.

Thiago Alcantara struck Bayern's winner midway through the second half, meaning Sevilla will need at least two goals and a win in Munich to stand any chance of reaching the last four of the competition.

Bayern, who stepped up through the gears after being second best for the opening 45 minutes, will now fancy their chances of finishing things off in the return meeting at the Allianz Arena, where they have won 21 of their last 22 home Champions League matches.

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The two teams came into the match on the back of contrasting fortunes at the weekend.

Sevilla led 2-0 against all-conquering Barcelona - unbeaten in LaLiga for a year - with just two minutes remaining but had to settle for a draw, while Bayern steamrollered arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund 6-0 to take a huge step towards another Bundesliga title.

Sarabia missed the Barca clash through suspension, but he returned to the Sevilla starting line-up and was at the centre of the two main talking points of the opening half-hour.

The first saw him somehow contrive to miss what looked a certain goal in the 20th minute, side-footing wide from 12 yards out with only Sven Ulreich to beat.

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The 25-year-old made amends for that miss 12 minutes later, however, when he lashed Sevilla ahead.

The left-footed forward, who moments before had brought a diving parry out of Ulreich with a long-range effort, got ahead of Juan Bernat at the far post to control Escudero's cross before firing home.

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Bernat appealed for handball by the Sevilla man, but the goal stood.

Bayern's problems appeared to increase soon after when they lost midfield dynamo Arturo Vidal to injury, but within two minutes of his departure Bayern were level - with replacement James Rodriguez involved.

A lightning-quick counter down the right saw the ball passed between Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and Rodriguez before arriving at the feet of Ribery on the left of the area.

The Frenchman's cross was meant to pick out Robert Lewandowski in the middle, but it took a big deflection off Navas and, despite the best efforts of Sevilla goalkeeper David Soria, the ball went in off the near post.

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That was tough on the home side, who once again impressed on the big stage after knocking Manchester United out in the previous round.

And they picked up where they left off after the break with Franco Vazquez being denied by a fantastic goal-saving challenge by Javi Martinez.

But Bayern gradually began to awaken from their slumber and, after steadily building up pressure, they almost took the lead in the 66th minute when Martinez was denied by a wonderful save by Soria.

Sevilla were not so fortunate from Bayern's next attack.

Ribery's floated cross picked out the unmarked Thiago at the far post and his downward header went in via another decisive deflection, this time off Escudero.

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Bayern sensed blood and Rodriguez brought a fine diving save out of Soria.

Sevilla made a late charge and Steven N'Zonzi fired just wide before substitute Sandro drew a fine stop out of Ulreich, but Bayern held on for a potentially decisive - if somewhat fortuitous - win.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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