Roca Rey conquers Seville with two ears and comes close to the Prince’s Gate

Seville’s bullring witnessed an afternoon of maximum expectation with the “sold out” sign hanging at the ticket offices and one name standing above the rest: Roca Rey. The Peruvian matador delivered the most complete performance of the corrida and walked away with two ears after an intense display against the standout bull from Victoriano del Río.

Miguel Ángel Perera opened the afternoon with limited opportunities with the cape, although he soon found his rhythm with the muleta. He dedicated the bull to El Juli and based his performance on pure composure, guiding a bull that was short on strength with great care. The natural-hand series marked the highlight of a measured faena that prompted a strong request for an ear after a low sword thrust, ultimately rewarded with a significant lap of honour.

Perera’s second appearance proved far more demanding. The bull never truly settled, losing its footing and raising its head, which forced the Extremaduran matador to rely on experience and persistence. Despite his efforts, the lack of consistency prevented the performance from fully developing.

Juan Ortega showed glimpses of quality with the cape in his first, especially through elegant verónicas, although the bull quickly revealed signs of querencia and reluctance. The Seville-born matador tried to shape the charge with the right hand, but the animal disengaged too soon, making a trophy impossible. His second bull offered little more: Ortega began with style and refined details, yet the animal’s roughness and lack of commitment halted any chance of success.

The tone of the afternoon shifted with the third bull. Roca Rey appeared fully committed from the cape work, combining control and rhythm. His opening muleta passes, including high passes and a change of hand behind the back, ignited the crowd. From there, he built a performance that grew steadily in intensity, linking deep series on both sides. Particularly on the natural side, he produced moments of real emotion that won over La Maestranza. A decisive sword thrust secured two undeniable ears.

With the sixth, he again displayed ambition. After a promising start and several well-linked series in the centre of the ring, the bull allowed a performance that connected strongly with the audience as the band began to play. Roca Rey shortened the distance in the closing stages, squeezing out the final charges, but two failed sword attempts cooled the atmosphere and denied what could have been an even greater triumph.

The Victoriano del Río bulls, well presented and with several notable performers, provided an engaging corrida in which Roca Rey’s emphatic success set the tone for a high-quality afternoon in Seville.