UEL: Sevilla win Europa League

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 Sevilla 1 - 1 Roma (Sevilla won 4-1 on penalties)

Sevilla claimed a record-extending seventh Europa League title as they beat Roma on penalties at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty for the Spanish side following a 1-1 draw. You can watch the highlights of the match in the video below. Footage from BT Sport. Sevilla v Roma (1-1) (Sevilla win 4-1 on penalties) | Mourinho Heartbreak | Europa League Highlights - YouTube

 

The Spanish side have now won all seven of the finals they have played in the competition since 2006. This most recent success sees them qualify for next season's Champions League despite finishing outside the top four in La Liga.

There will be a feeling that it could have been so different for Roma and their manager Jose Mourinho, who had won all five of the previous European finals he had been involved in and guided the club to inaugural Europa Conference League success last term.

Montiel's international teammate Paulo Dybala had deservedly put Roma in front during the first period, racing onto Italy defender Mancini's incisive pass to expertly steer a low effort past Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into the bottom right corner.

However, the Serie A side, who also saw Leonardo Spinazzola test Bounou before the break, relinquished their control of the encounter and Sevilla deservedly got back into the game. It was anyone's guess what was going to happen next. Despite the quality on the pitch in terms of players, it very rarely lived up to the hype. It was 1-1 after 90 minutes. 

It was then onto Extra Time

Chris Smalling so very nearly won it for Roma in the very last minute when his header came back off the bar. This might have been a slightly undeserved triumph for tor the Italian side. 

From a Sevilla perspective, they probably felt they had the chances to win in normal time, but to penalties it was, and it was ultimately Sevilla that triumphed in front of a raucous crowd. 

Some comments from across the internet

Liam, a Manchester United fan, watched the match. He said: "This match was always going to be a tough call. Sevilla or Mourinho were going to lose their 100% European final records. I'm really pleased for Sevilla, they played well and Patricio didn't get close to their pens."

Lauren, a Chelsea fan, also watched the match. She added: "To go from fighting relegation to winning another Europa League is incredible. However, when it comes to this match, to call it cagey would be a huge disservice. It was everything this tournament previously represented and still often is in earlier stages; scrappy, messy and simply shirt on quality."

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