Sevilla won a record-extending seventh Europa League title after defeating Roma 4-1 in a penalty shootout at Budapest’s Puskas Arena.
The crucial penalty was scored by Gonzalo Montiel, who converted the winning penalty for Argentina in the World Cup final.
The Europa League experts handed Roma manager Jose Mourinho his first European final defeat after five consecutive victories.
“I have to fight for these lads and therefore not say objectively that I will remain,” Mourinho told Sky Italy in the aftermath of the defeat. “I lost this one, but I return home prouder than ever this time.”
The game proceeded to extra time when Gianluca Mancini’s own goal cancelled out Paulo Dybala’s well-taken opening, and Sevilla won in the shootout.
Similar to Roma, but to a larger extent, Sevilla has undergone a gruelling domestic campaign, hampered by relegation worries until recently, but continental participation is their bread and butter.
Dybala received Mancini’s defence-splitting pass, allowing the ball to glide over his body onto his preferred left boot and reach the far corner in one fast motion (35).
However, Mancini’s own goal 10 minutes into the second half gave Sevilla parity, and after a lifeless period of extra time, Montiel settled the tie with the winning penalty – crucially, only after benefiting from a retake after custodian Rui Patricio was adjudged to encroach on his first effort, which was saved.
Source: Skysports
