There’s just something about Sevilla and the UEFA Europa League.
Sevilla won their record sixth Europa League title, Inter Milan’s edge, 3-2, in a wild final in Cologne, Germany on Friday.
Inter and Sevilla traded two goals each in a fragile first half, with the penalty from Romelu Lukaku, the double from Luuk de Jong and the header from Diego Godin making it 2-2 after 35 minutes. Sevilla pulled ahead in the 74th, with Lukaku deflecting Diego Carlos’ overhead header into his own net for the decisive goal. It was an ironic end, considering Lukaku had opened the scoring five minutes inside on a penalty awarded to Diego Carlos.
Neither Inter nor Sevilla had to worry about winning to secure a place in the Champions League next season, after both worried about it due to their domestic league princes (Inter second in Serie A, Sevilla fourth in La Liga ).
Inter, who won the UEFA Cup (the previous incarnation of the competition) in 1991, 1994 and 1998, could have been closer to the whole of Sevilla with a victory on Friday. Under the leadership of Lukaku, who has now scored in a record 11 straight Europa League matches, and Lautaro Martinez, Inter have been 11-1-5 since playing back.
Sevilla, however, went undefeated as the game went on, going 9-0-5 in all leagues and defending. Julen Lopetegui’s side conceded just six goals in those 14 games, and it had ruled out five straight opponents ahead of Bruno Fernandes’ penalty for Manchester United in the semi-finals.
However, Inter started on the front foot, and Lukaku did not take long to make an impact, drawing the penalty and converting after three minutes to give Inter the lead.
Sevilla pulled a little later after a fantastic diving ball from Luuk de Jong. Jesus Navas rifled in a cross from the right, and the Dutch striker obliged, beating Samir Handanovic to make it 1-1.
Inter had a kick for a second penalty in the 16th minute when Diego Carlos, the defender who started the offense on Lukaku, extended his arm to block a ball in the Sevilla box. It went unwhistled, although Inter players pleaded for the call.
De Jong’s second goal of the day gave Sevilla the lead, and it came on another header. The free kick routine saw the ball shifted quickly to one side of the box, then back to the other. De Jong struck a 30 meter free kick home 33 minutes into the match. 2 – 0 for the home team.
The lead lasted a little over two minutes. Diego Godin, who also scored for Atletico Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final, stepped in through an inter-free kick from Marcelo Brozovic at the other end, with the Uruguayan veteran leading the match level at 2- 2 in the 35th minute.
The pace was still a bit submerged after the break, with the chances a little less full. Ashley Young could have put Inter into the lead after 58 minutes, but the free kick went just wide.
Inter were given a chance to change things around. Lukaku came behind the back line and was free on goal, but Bono shot from his line to cut off the corner and made a sliding save to deny Lukaku his second and Inter the lead.
Inter paid the price for his foul, as Sevilla took the lead in the 74th minute. Diego Carlos, the early villain, wrapped up in a heroic role, delivers a stunning overhead kiss from a failed free-kick clearance that was deflected by Lukaku on the post to give Sevilla the 3-2 lead.
Inter had a chance to level the score as Alexis Sanchez suddenly found himself free in the middle of the box with only the keeper to beat, but he misjudged the finish, and only managed to hit the bar.
**********
Here are the lineups for both teams:
Both sides will enjoy an offseason break ahead of the new season. La Liga is scheduled to start on September 12, while Serie A will start a week later, on September 19.
.
