Sevilla have beaten AS Roma 4-1 on penalties to win the Europa League for a record-extending seventh time, handing Jose Mourinho his first defeat in six European finals.
But that covers just a slice of the narratives that emerged over a three-hour, drawn out game. The World Cup loomed large, never less than in the shootout, where Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou saved spot kicks from Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibanez, before Gonzalo Montiel won it for the Spanish side.
Bounou had been the hero for Morocco in Qatar, saving his side in shootouts and open play, and was front and centre again, picking up the UEFA man of the match.
Montiel has scored the winning penalty in the final from 12 yards for Argentina, but could not have imagined he would get his chance again after missing this time around. Lucky for him, the VAR official caught Roma keeper Rui Patricio of his line and ordered a retake, which he despatched.
The game had finished 1-1 after extra time, but had been a bitty, drab affair – just as Mourinho likes it.
Paulo Dybala gave the Italians the lead from a counter-attack in the 35th minute but the Andalucians then took control of the game and found the equaliser in the second half.
Sevilla had been the unstoppable force in Europa League competition, but for Mourinho’s part, he is the immovable object. The Portuguese had won five consecutive European finals until this game, with the last opposing player to as much as score against him in a showpiece having been Celtic’s Henrik Larsson, way back in 2003.
One could argue that an opposing player still hasn’t, given that Sevilla’s goal was an own-goal, from Gianluca Mancini in the 55th minute.
Many had feared that an early Roma goal would ruin the spectacle, especially given the theatrics and time-wasting that prevailed in their semi-final win over Bayer Leverkusen.
That did eventuate, with seven bookings dished out by English ref Anthony Taylor to Roma players – and six to Sevilla.
“I’ve won five finals and I lost this one, but I’m coming back home proud again,” Mourinho told Sky Sports Italia.
“The boys gave everything. We are all attached to the shirt, to our nature. We take things seriously and humbly, we work a lot. Everyone reacts in a different way: one cries, the other doesn’t. The truth is that we are all very sad, with or without crying. Great match, great final – intense, vibrant.”
The win means Sevilla will compete in next season’s Champions League despite finishing outside the top four in La Liga.
© AAP
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