Europa League thoroughbreds Sevilla labored their magic but once more to beat AS Roma 4-1 on penalties on Wednesday and raise the trophy for a record-extending seventh time, handing Roma boss Jose Mourinho his first defeat in six European finals.
After an unspectacular match ended 1-1 after further time, Sevilla ruthlessly punished the Italians within the shootout, with Gonzalo Montiel firing residence the successful spot kick, simply as he did for Argentina within the World Cup closing towards France.
The defender had missed his first effort however was handed a reprieve when Roma keeper Rui Patricio was adjudged to have come off the road too early and he made no mistake along with his second, sparking jubilant celebrations.
Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou was their hero within the shootout, saving penalties from Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibanez whereas the Spaniards had been flawless in their very own execution, scoring their first 4.
Sevilla, the undisputed kings of the Europa League, have now received all seven of the finals they’ve performed within the competitors, and are well-versed within the drama of the event, having seen their opponents rating first within the final 4 finals.
Roma’s head coach Jose Mourinho walks away along with his second place medal after receiving it on the finish of the Europa League closing match between Sevilla and Roma, on the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on May 31, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
AP
It was a tense and ill-tempered affair from the beginning on Wednesday, with Roma defending deep with a five-man backline towards Sevilla, who had nearly 65% possession however had been saved largely exterior the Italian’s crowded field.
The match was tetchy with referee Anthony Taylor dispensing 14 yellow playing cards, essentially the most ever in a Europa League recreation, and enjoying nearly half-hour of stoppage time in complete.
Paulo Dybala gave Roma the lead from a counter-attack within the thirty fifth minute however Sevilla then took management of the sport and located the equaliser due to an own-goal by Mancini within the fifty fifth minute.
Sevilla dominated the match after that however Roma had the higher possibilities from counter-attacks and set-pieces, together with a Chris Smalling header that hit the crossbar within the tenth minute of added time in further time.
Difficult season
Sevilla maintained their unbelievable document within the competitors after an in any other case tough season.
Languishing within the backside half of LaLiga for a big a part of a marketing campaign through which they fired two managers, Sevilla solely rediscovered their type after exiting the Champions League.
Sevilla followers have a good time after successful the Europa League Final on June 1, 2023
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Their run to the ultimate noticed them beat PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahce and Manchester United earlier than downing Juventus within the semis.
“It was a Sevilla-style match. We have to suffer to win,” Lucas Ocampos informed Spanish TV channel Movistar Plus.
“This is not easy. What we have with this competition is something that cannot be explained.”
It was the third consecutive Europa League closing that led to a penalty shootout.
The win means Sevilla will compete in subsequent season’s Champions League regardless of ending exterior the highest 4 within the LaLiga.
Mourinho had by no means misplaced a European closing earlier than Wednesday, having final 12 months led Roma to the inaugural Europa Conference League title, changing into the primary coach to win all of the European trophies.
Losing was clearly a painful expertise for the Portuguese who handed his runners-up medal to a fan within the stand after the presentation.
“That’s what I did, I don’t want silver medals. I don’t keep silver medals, so I gave it away,” he informed Movistar.