Garcia Plaza hails belief after Akor Adams’ dramatic winner

Sevilla head coach Luis García Plaza lauded the impact of Akor Adams after the Nigerian forward came off the bench to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory over RCD Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, a result that could prove decisive in the club’s battle to avoid relegation.

Introduced in the second half at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Adams delivered when it mattered most, curling home a precise finish deep into added time to seal all three points.

The late strike capped a spirited comeback from Sevilla, who had trailed for much of the contest and were in urgent need of a positive result as the season approaches its conclusion.

The visitors had taken the lead through Tyrhys Dolan following a defensive lapse, leaving Sevilla with a mountain to climb. For long periods, García Plaza’s side struggled to break down a disciplined Espanyol defence, with frustration growing both on the pitch and in the stands.

However, Sevilla’s persistence eventually shifted the momentum. Sustained attacking pressure forced Espanyol deeper into their own half, and the breakthrough arrived when Castrin found the equaliser, injecting renewed belief into the home side.

With time running out, Sevilla continued to push forward, committing numbers in search of a winner that would transform their fortunes.

That decisive moment came in stoppage time. Adams, showing composure and technical quality, bent his effort into the bottom corner to spark jubilant celebrations. The goal not only completed the turnaround but also lifted Sevilla further away from the relegation zone at a critical stage of the campaign.

Beyond its immediate impact on the standings, the strike also underlined Adams’ growing influence within the squad. The goal took his tally to nine for the season, a return that highlights his increasing importance in Sevilla’s attacking setup, particularly in high-pressure situations.

Speaking after the match, García Plaza reflected on both the emotional significance of the win and the unity within his squad during the closing moments.

“I really celebrated Akor’s goal. I’ve only been here six games, but I really empathize with the team,” García Plaza said.

The coach also pointed to the reaction from the bench as a symbol of collective belief, suggesting that the spirit within the group could be key in the remaining fixtures.

“The bench came out to celebrate, and that’s very important. You can’t stop believing. It was a testament to that,” he added.