Nigerian forward Akor Adams has spoken candidly about the mental preparation and collective belief that underpinned his match-winning display as Sevilla FC defeated Atlético Madrid 2-1 in a result that significantly altered the complexion of their LaLiga survival campaign.
Adams broke the deadlock from the penalty spot following a VAR review that penalised a foul on teammate Isaac Romero. Despite Atlético goalkeeper Juan Musso getting a hand to the ball, the Super Eagles striker held his nerve to convert and register his seventh league goal of the season — a tally that underlines his growing importance to Sevilla’s first-team setup since joining the club.
When asked about his composure from twelve yards, Adams pointed to work done on the training ground rather than any in-the-moment inspiration. “Practiced it in training,” he said, before adding that he drew further assurance from those around him, citing “the confidence of all my teammates” as a key factor in his execution.
The victory carries considerable weight for a Sevilla side that had endured a difficult run of results heading into the fixture. Atlético Madrid, who remain among LaLiga’s upper-tier clubs under Diego Simeone, represented a stern test, making the three points all the more significant for the hosts at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
Adams was keen to frame the result as a team effort, resisting any inclination to claim sole credit for what was a disciplined collective performance. “All the energy of the club, the fans, and the players transformed into a positive atmosphere for this match. We gave 100% and achieved our objective,” he stated. He also made specific mention of the atmosphere generated by Sevilla’s supporters, saying: “The fans’ support was incredible; it gave us a great energy. We play for them.”
Reflecting on the broader contribution of his teammates, the forward added: “Everyone played a good game… we all achieved our goal.”
The win moves Sevilla out of the bottom three and into 15th position in the LaLiga standings, a shift that provides genuine breathing room with the season entering its decisive phase. Spanish top-flight relegation battles are rarely straightforward — in recent campaigns, clubs have been dragged into survival fights deep into May — meaning every point accumulated in the coming fixtures will carry elevated significance.
For Adams personally, the performance strengthens his profile ahead of future Nigeria international duty. The Super Eagles have historically relied on forwards based in Europe’s top five leagues to lead their attacking lines, and consistent form in LaLiga enhances his case for a central role under the national team’s current setup.
Sevilla’s next challenge will be closely watched by rival clubs in the bottom half of the table, as the result sends a clear message that the Andalusian outfit retain the quality to compete against established sides despite their precarious league position.
