Sevilla win record fifth Europa League title in Budapest

2023. június. 01., 01:29   |    

Sevilla win record fifth Europa League title in Budapest

Ninety minutes of normal time, extra time and 25 minutes of added time across a marathon Europa League final couldn't separate Sevilla and Roma, so it took a penalty shoot-out to decide the outcome, Sevilla coming out on top in front of more than 61,000 spectators in the Puskás Aréna on Wednesday evening.

The final was preceded by a spectacular opening event featuring 150 dancers before official final ambassador Zoltán Gera carried the trophy onto the pitch in front of a capacity crowd in Budapest's Puskás Aréna.

Football took over thereafter but in the first half hour it was noticeable that both sides had caution in mind. This didn't mean that there were no goalscoring chances or excitment, just that neither side could outdo the other, not were they prepared to take extra risks. At first, Roma was the more dangerous, but Sevilla soon settled and started to pose a threat.

It was José Mourinho's Roma that took the lead in the 35th minute though, Paulo Dybala overcoming an ankle injury to slide in the opening goal and then things picked up somewhat, further opportunities arriving for both teams. Indeed, Sevilla managed to find a crucial equaliser when Mancini put through his own goal in the 55th minute and although both teams had chances to score in the time remaining, neither could break the deadlock once more.

Extra time brought a much more cautious approach, the game suffering from many stoppages due to fouls and injuries, with litle in the way of goalmouth action to elaborate upon. In the end, a penalty shootout was necessary, Sevilla ultimately prevailing 4-1.

The club from Andalusia was playing its seventh final in European football's secondary competition and maintained its perfect record of winning them all, two of which came when the competition was known as the UEFA Cup and the most recent five in the guise of the Europa League. Meanwhile, Roma coach Mourinho lost a European final for the first time after five previous successes.

SEVILLA (Spain) 1–1 AS ROMA (Italy) (HT: 0-1) (Sevilla win 4–1 on penalties)
Puskás Aréna, Budapest, att: 61,476. Ref: A. Taylor (ENG)
SEVILLA: Bunu – Jesús Navas (Montiel, 94), Badé, Gudelj (Marcao, 120+7), Telles (K. Rekik, 94) – Fernando (Jordan, 120+8), Rakitic – Ocampos, Óliver Torres (Suso, 46), Gil (Lamela, 46) - En-Nesziri. Head coach: José Luis Mendilibar
ROMA: Rui Patrício - Ibanez, G. Mancini, Smalling - Spinazzola (D. Llorente, 106), Cristante, Matic (Bove, 120), Celik (Zalewski, 91) - Lo. Pellegrini (El Shaarawy, 106) - Dybala (Wijnaldum, 68), Abraham (Belotti, 75). Head coach: Jose Mourinho
Goalscorers: SEV: Mancini (55, OG), ROM: Dybala (35).


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