Uefa Com
Marca Com
Sevilla Hold Off Roma in Penalty Shootout to Win Seventh Europa League Title
Epic Final Ends in Heartbreak for Italians
Sevilla have etched their name in the history books once again, securing a record-breaking seventh Europa League title after defeating AS Roma 4-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout on Wednesday night.
The match, played at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany, was a closely contested affair that saw both teams create chances throughout the 120 minutes of play. Sevilla took the lead in the second half through an own goal from Roma defender Gianluca Mancini, but Roma equalized in the 65th minute through Nicolo Zaniolo.
With neither team able to find a winner in extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout. Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero for the Spanish side, saving two Roma penalties to give his team the victory.
The win marks Sevilla's seventh Europa League title, making them the most successful club in the competition's history. It is also the first time a team has won the trophy on four consecutive occasions.
For Roma, the defeat will come as a bitter blow. The Italian side were looking to win their first major European trophy since the 1960–61 European Cup Winners' Cup.
The match also marked the end of Jose Mourinho's perfect record in European finals. The Portuguese manager had won all five of his previous European finals, including the 2004 Champions League with FC Porto and the 2010 Champions League with Inter Milan.
Sevilla will now turn their attention to the upcoming La Liga season, where they will be looking to challenge for the title. Roma, meanwhile, will be hoping to bounce back from this defeat and mount a challenge for the Serie A title.
Comments