- Clock ticks down on France government nomination
- 'Devastated' Australian tennis star Purcell provisionally suspended for doping
- Mozambique on edge as judges rule on disputed election
- Mobile cinema brings Tunisians big screen experience
- Philippines says to acquire US Typhon missile system
- Honda and Nissan to launch merger talks
- Police arrest suspect who set woman on fire in New York subway
- China vows 'cooperation' over ship linked to severed Baltic Sea cables
- Australian tennis star Purcell provisionally suspended for doping
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate fears
- Luxury Western goods line Russian stores, three years into sanctions
- Wallace and Gromit return with comic warning about AI dystopia
- Philippine military says will acquire US Typhon missile system
- Afghan bread, the humble centrepiece of every meal
- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
Blow for Sevilla title bid as Celta hold on for point
Sevilla were unable to complete a dramatic comeback against Celta Vigo on Saturday as another stumble gave Real Madrid the chance to move six points clear at the top of La Liga.
Celta hit Sevilla twice in three minutes at the end of the first half as Franco Cervi and Iago Aspas gave the visitors a commanding lead at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
A stunning strike from Papu Gomez gave Sevilla hope and then Oliver Torres equalised four minutes later, leaving the hosts with 16 minutes to find a winner.
But Celta held on for a 2-2 draw that means Sevilla only cut the gap to Real Madrid to three points, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side playing their game in hand at home to Elche on Sunday.
It brings an end to a rough week for Sevilla, who drew 1-1 away at Valencia in midweek, on the back of a surprise exit at the hands of local rivals Real Betis in the Copa del Rey last weekend.
That game had to be stopped on Saturday and restarted on Sunday after an object thrown from the Betis crowd hit Sevilla's Joan Jordan and, along with injuries and Covid-19 infections, the sense is of a team struggling with emotional and physical fatigue.
Their coach Julen Lopetegui has been suffering from Covid symptoms this week and was not on the bench again, with his assistant Pablo Sanz in charge on the line.
"I can't blame these guys for anything because with a bit of luck we would have won," said Sanz.
"You leave with some optimism because the team has given everything but it's two points lost at home so the feeling is bitter-sweet."
Sevilla were just about the better team in the first half but they only really threatened when three quick-fire shots were lashed at goal, as Luis Ocampos, Rafa Mir and then Tecatito tried and failed to hit the net.
Then came Celta's quick-fire double, both instigated by sloppy give-aways from Sevilla in midfield. First, Marcos Acuna's weak header dropped loose and as Celta broke, Santi Mina's shot was parried and Cervi drove in the rebound.
Three minutes later Ocampos' return pass to Rakitic never reached its target, with Aspas holding the ball on the edge of the area while Cervi ran beyond him. Aspas curled into the corner.
Sevilla's fans were simmering. Mir was substituted at half-time, along with Ivan Rakitic and Fernando.
There were two optimistic penalty appeals but Sevilla created very little until Gomez shook them into life in the 70th minute, shifting inside from the right and unleashing with his left, the ball sizzling into the top corner.
Sevilla were transformed, the stadium bouncing, and four minutes later they were level, Nestor Araujo's header out falling at the feet of Torres, who prodded the ball between bodies, through the legs of Ivan Romero and in.
They had 16 minutes to find a winner. Torres hit the post with a diving header but that was as close as Sevilla came, Celta holding on for a point.
Y.Bouchard--BTB