UEFA Europa League champions Sevilla defeated West Ham 1-0 at the London Stadium  first-leg of the Europa League Round of 16.

After failing to convert a host of chances in the first half, Julen Lopetegui’s team completely dominated the second half, closing the London side in their box and keeping them well away from our own.

They could have extended the gap even more, but Munir’s goal in the 60th minute after a smart free-kick from Acuña is what we bring to London next week as they look to qualify for the quarter finals.

The first half saw chances for both teams, predominantly at the start of the match and around the 30-minute mark.

The rest of the half saw both teams try to control the ball and the game.

Before kick-off, Lopetegui had a headache as Rakitić picked up a knock in the warm up and had to be replaced by Munir.

The Moroccan would have the first chance of the game as he headed a well-placed cross by Tecatito wide of Areola’s goal.

The Moroccan striker went close at the twenty-seventh minute mark when Acuña threaded a well-weighted pass through, only for his shot to go wide of the West Ham goal.

Vlasic went close twice for the visitors, however both were saved by an inspired Bono, who saved the Croatian’s strike first from close range in the six-yard box and then with a low shot just inside his left-hand post.

En-Nesyri also went close with two headed chances nearer to the end of the half but neither caused any trouble to the West Ham goal.

The second half started with a well-stroke shot by Souçek from distance but Bono was on hand to clear the danger.

Yet another header came in from En-Nesyri that was safely gathered by Areola, but this was just a warning of what was to come from Sevilla as the whites started to gain momentum and move the ball around in the opposition’s half.

A free-kick taken from near the corner flag was how Sevilla put themselves front.

A piece of genius from Acuña sent the ball into the box and straight to Munir, who this time, was able to blast the ball into the back of the net past Areola, sparking madness in the Sánchez-Pizjuán.

From there on Lopetegui’s boys did not let up as they once again came close with Tecatito who saw his shot blocked by Dawson.

Just before Jesús Navas made a heroic intervention to deny West Ham the draw, throwing himself in the way on a shot from Fornals, Ocampos shot just to the left of Areola in a wave of Sevilla pressure in the English side’s area during the second half.

From an injury perspective the return of Anthony Martial was good news, who came on for the goalscorer Munir and played the last twenty minutes.

Seven minutes from time, Ocampos tried his fortune from inside the area but the Argentinian could not direct his shot on target.

The English side, tried to stop the white and red attacks and keep the defeat to just one goal heading into the second leg.

The game finished with Sevilla FC searching until the final minute another goal to increase their lead but also knowing that maintaining the score would be a great advantage to take to England.