Mourinho loses a European final for first time as Sevilla beat Roma on penalties

  • Bookmark

    • For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter

    We have more newsletters

    Sevilla toppled Roma on penalties to inflict Jose Mourinho’s first European final defeat and win the Europa League on Wednesday.

    While 'The Special One' mourns the loss of an imperious record on the continent, Jose Luis Mendilibar's impossible quest to greatness was complete. Having only arrived at the club in March as a replacement for Jorge Sampaoli, with Sevilla at risk of relegation from La Liga, the 62-year-old veteran pulled off a fairytale moment in Budapest.

    And his side didn't do things the easy way, forced to come back from behind after Paulo Dybala's 35th-minute breakthrough. After assisting the Argentinian's opener, however, Gianluca Mancini turned from hero to villain by putting the ball in the same net to level on Sevilla's behalf with 35 minutes remaining.

    READ MORE: Paulo Dybala rugby tackled by physio after battling injury to net in Europa League final

    Having spent much of the first half under pressure, Sevilla surged in confidence after the break and had the bulk of attacking chances. That being said, it was largely the conflicts between players that caught most of the attention in a match lacking in goalmouth opportunities.

    Referee Anthony Taylor handed out no fewer than 13 yellow cards – a record for any European match – six of which were awarded in extra time to players both on the field and in the dugout. That about summed up where much of the attention was fixated across the 120 minutes.

    Taylor also found himself at the heart of the drama but was praised for his performance amid such hysterics and constant protests from players and managers alike. His quick handling of one VAR penalty check in particular had many fans wondering why such speed can't be applied in the Premier League.

    Former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling came within inches of winning the match for Roma at the death when a looping header at the back-post flicked up off the crossbar. Sevilla knocked both the Red Devils and Juventus out of the running after Mendilibar arrived at the helm, and the Spaniards held their nerve in the crucial stages once again.

    Lucas Ocampos, Erik Lamela and Ivan Rakitic each stepped up in order to slot their spot kicks despite Rui Patricio's best efforts. Bryan Cristante converted Roma's first, but it was all downhill from there as Mancini and Roger Ibanez missed their attempts.

    After winning a World Cup crown in Qatar, Argentina full-back Gonzalo Montiel melted nerves at the second attempt to put the finishing touches on Sevilla's fifth Europa League in less than a decade. Patricio was pulled up for encroachment after the first attempt, and Montiel delivered at the second time of asking.

    While the likes of Dybala and England's Tammy Abraham cut emotional figures at the final whistle, Sevilla were all smiles as some supporters flooded the pitch.

    "This is amazing. I can't ask for more," said former Tottenham winger Lamela. "This feeling is unbelievable. We're going to enjoy it. A tough game. Not easy to play. We weren't in our best way because they played this game. It was difficult to find the space."

    READ NEXT:

    • Jose Mourinho couldn't stop smiling as scantily-clad women pranced around him on TV show

    • Meet Leah Monroe – the gorgeous WAG of Roma's Tammy Abraham who slammed Thomas Tuchel

    • 'Jose Mourinho struck fear into me – but I knew straight away he'd done his homework'

    • Roy Keane takes aim at Sir Alex with 'he always did what was right for Man Utd' jibe

    • Luton Town confirm captain Tom Lockyer will leave hospital days after play-off final collapse

    • Sevilla FC
    • AS Roma FC
    • Europa League
    • Breaking News
    • Jose Mourinho

    Source: Read Full Article