Lukebakio leaves it late as Sevilla beats Girona
Dodi Lukebakio's late strike saw Sevilla come from behind to beat Girona 2-1 at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi.
The striker settled the LaLiga clash in the 88th minute, after Saul Niguez cancelled out Arnau Martinez's first-half header.
Sevilla had lost each of its past six LaLiga meetings with Girona, but stopped the rot in dramatic fashion.
The hosts made a nervy start and conceded a penalty after just 67 seconds when Oriol Romeu dragged down Isaac Romero, but the latter was denied from 12 yards by Paulo Gazzaniga.
The hosts capitalised on that let-off by taking the lead in the 36th minute, with Martinez heading home Viktor Tsyhankov's cross after a neatly worked corner.
Sevilla equalised just before the hour mark, as Saul rifled past Gazzaniga after the Girona goalkeeper parried his initial header.
Saul then turned provider for the visitors' winner two minutes from time, heading the ball into the path of Lukebakio, who rounded a defender before slotting home.
Girona manager Michel refused to rule out his side's chances of making it to Europe despite the defeat.
"One game does not take away the idea that we have the potential to fight for Europe," Michel said after the game.
"I am clear about it and also that we have to show it on the pitch.
"This is a step backwards but there is the whole second half of the season. We have to continue believing, working.
"The first thing is to achieve salvation which gives security and the club has stability but then we have to look upwards and build a team that can fight for Europe."
Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga had denied Isaac Romero from the penalty spot as early as the third minute before the hosts took the lead later in the half.
"We wanted to have the ball and lock Sevilla in but we lost too many balls in the build-up, imprecise. And that generated uncertainty for us to grow in the game," the Girona boss said.
"We didn't have the ability in attack and if Sevilla can run they can hurt you.
"They shot 14 times and we had seven. We had the ball but we did not manage to make progression in the game as we were looking to.
