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Sevilla FC won a record-extending eighth Europa League trophy on Wednesday in Budapest. They defeated Roma 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 deadlock after extra time.
On Wednesday, Sevilla FC found its Europa League magic formula. They get win Roma 4-1 on penalties. Following a 1-1 deadlock to make it seven wins in seven finals in Europe’s second-tier tournament, Sevilla claims the title.
The Spanish team trailed following Paulo Dybala’s first-half opening in Budapest. But they drew level in the second half thanks to an own goal by Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.
The victory and the extra time were inseparable. As a result, there was penalty shootout for deciding the winner.
Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the game-winning penalty in the 2022 World Cup final, converted the deciding penalty after Roma’s Mancini and Roger Ibanez failed to convert.
Earlier, Paulo Dybala put Jose Mourinho’s Roma ahead in the 35th minute, only for a rejuvenated Sevilla to equalize 10 minutes later on a Mancini own goal.
Before kickoff, the spectators generated a buzzing environment. But the early stages of the game did not match the color in the stands.
After a wonderful build-up play including Dybala and Zeki Celik, the Italians created the opening chance of the game. But Leonardo Spinazzola fired straight at Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Roma asked for a penalty just after the half-hour mark. Nemanja Gudelj hit Tammy Abraham on the head by a high boot from Sevilla defender while clearing the ball. But VAR ruled it was not a penalty. But it was in front of me minutes later.
Sevilla FC vs AS Roma: Match Highlights
Dybala’s goal
Dybala ran past two players and grabbed onto Mancini’s through pass from the center circle, placing his shot beyond Bounou.
Deep into the seven minutes of additional time, Sevilla came agonizingly close to leveling when Ivan Rakitic hammered a thunderous left-footed shot from distance that cannoned back off an upright.
At halftime, Sevilla manager Jose Luis Mendilibar substituted strikers Suso and Erik Lamela for Oliver Torres and Bryan Gil, and the Spanish team took the lead.
After 10 minutes, Mancini headed a Jesus Navas cross from the right into his own net from close range.
Roma appeared poised to retake the lead against the flow of play midway through the second half, but Sevilla defenders scrambled the ball away after numerous close-range shots.
Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum took Dybala’s place after receiving his first start since mid-April.
With 15 minutes remaining, Sevilla felt it had a penalty after referee Anthony Taylor determined that Ibanez had taken down Lucas Ocampos, but the judgment was overruled by VAR.
The Italians could have taken the lead in the 83rd minute, but substitute Andrea Belotti failed to keep his effort on goal after captain Lorenzo Pellegrini found him with a beautiful dinked free-kick.
Extra time was mainly boring as tempers rose between the two benches, but Roma defender Chris Smalling almost stole the victory in the final seconds when he struck the crossbar with a looping header from a corner.
When Mancini’s penalty was saved, Sevilla held the edge in the shootout. When Ibanez struck the post, the Spanish team seemed definite winners.
But there was more drama in store.
Rui Patricio stopped Montiel’s shot. However, the goalkeeper’s intrusion into the area of the kick meant that it had to be retaken. The Argentine made no mistake this time for the strike.
