“This is the penalty that could decide the title!”
Excitable radio commentary in Spain is known for its hyperbole but even with 15 rounds of matches remaining in La Liga last season, this felt like a pivotal moment. After a tense, nervy 90 minutes of stalemate, Sevilla had been awarded a penalty in stoppage time at Osasuna.
Ivan Rakitic, Mr. Reliable, who had netted dozens of spot kicks throughout his career including in successive penalty shootouts for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup. Score here, and Sevilla were within four points of a stuttering, stumbling Real Madrid. The title race was on, and the momentum was with Sevilla – seeking just their second league title and their first since 1946.
