Sevilla were crowned winners of the Trofeo Puertas de Córdoba on penalties, with Romero converting the decisive spot-kick after Théo Zidane had missed Córdoba's previous attempt. The two sides had last met in a July 2023 friendly, won by Sevilla thanks to goals from Erik Lamela and the same Isaac Romero.
Both clubs used the match, played at the Nuevo Arcángel, as a chance to build fitness and fine-tune plans for the new season. As he had signalled beforehand, Luis García Plaza rotated heavily across a week featuring two friendlies, fielding a starting XI made up entirely of academy players before turning to more senior figures in the second half. Córdoba boss Iván Ania, meanwhile, gave a debut after the break to former Real Betis goalkeeper Guilherme.
There was little to separate the sides before half-time beyond a penalty saved by Alberto Flores, awarded after the referee spotted a handball by Egoitz Muñoz deep into stoppage time following an appeal from Diego Bri. The Sevilla goalkeeper held his ground well and read Cristian Carracedo's soft penalty correctly.
Córdoba dominated the early exchanges as they looked to impress their supporters in what is their only home friendly of the summer, before Sevilla gradually grew into the game, helped by the influence of Ismael Ruiz in midfield. Jesuly, Manuel Ángel and the flair of Jesús Cruz all caught the eye as the visitors settled.
The clearest chances arrived after the restart, with markedly different line-ups taking the field for each side - Córdoba's second-half team included the returning Théo Zidane, who has extended his stay at the club for another season but had missed the opening friendly against Orlando Pirates.
Isaac Romero had the first shot on target of the second period, racing clear of Rubén Alves; Guilherme held firm in the one-on-one before Óscar Guridi blazed the rebound well over. Sevilla continued to have the better of the territory, with Miguel Sierra dragging a left-footed effort narrowly wide from the right, and José Ángel Carmona forcing Guilherme into a save low to his near post from a tight angle.
José Ángel Carmona and Kevin Medina were both sent off with five minutes remaining after clashing off the ball, leaving both sides with 10 men. Sevilla had a further sight of goal when Miguel Sierra failed to properly connect with a cross from the left by Peque. Chances continued to fall for García Plaza's side in the closing stages, but with the scoreline goalless after 90 minutes, the trophy went to a shootout.
Sevilla's finishing continues to be an area of concern heading into the new season - their only goal in three friendlies so far has come from the penalty spot - and their head coach is understood to be eager for attacking reinforcements before the campaign begins.
Line-ups:
Córdoba (4 pens): Iker Álvarez; Egoitz Muñoz, Juan Gutiérrez, Rubén Alves, Dani Tasende; Ismael Ruiz, Eder García; Cristian Carracedo, Enol, Diego Bri; Diarra. Also played: Guilherme, Álex Martín, Damián Cáceres, Théo Zidane, Percan, Kevin Medina, A. Ghailan, Víctor, Ignasi Vilarrasa, Carlos Albarrán, Jacobo Martí.
Coach: Iván Ania
Sevilla (5 pens): Alberto Flores; Jorge Moreno, Mario Díaz, Iker Muñoz, Sergio Martínez; Manu Bueno, Nico Guillén; Jesuly, Jesús Cruz, Manuel Ángel; Ibra Sow. Also played: Guilherme, Odysseas, José Ángel Carmona, Sangante, Juan Iglesias, Suazo, Mahamadou Agoumé, Óscar Guridi, Miguel Sierra, Isaac Romero, Oso, Peque.
Coach: Luis García Plaza
Goals: 0-0
Penalties: 1-0 Carlos Albarrán. 1-1 Peque. 2-1 Ignasi Vilarrasa. 2-2 Oso. 3-2 Víctor. 3-3 Miguel Sierra. 4-3 Damián Cáceres. 4-4 Óscar Guridi. 4-4 Théo Zidane, missed. 4-5 Isaac Romero.
Referee: Pablo Morales Moreno (Almeria). Booked Diego Bri (36'), Cristian Carracedo (48') and Sangante (62'). Sent off Kevin Medina (86') and José Ángel Carmona (86').
Venue: Nuevo Arcángel. Attendance: 12,127, including more than 500 Sevilla supporters.