Sevilla came from behind to beat Inter 3-2 in a thrilling Europa League final and collect for followers of our pre-season tournament preview that picked out the Spaniards at 14/1.
It's a sixth Europa League triumph in just 14 years for tournament specialists Sevilla, who extended their unbeaten run to 21 games in the process of lifting the trophy that has become almost like part of the furniture back in Seville.
It was also a great result for Sporting Life's Tom Carnduff after picking out Sevilla at 14/1 in our pre-tournament preview. Tom also picked out Bayern Munich at 14/1 to win the Champions League pre-tournament.
Sevilla went 1-0 down after just five minutes, but two Luuk de Jong headers and a second half Diego Carlos effort than went in off the unfortunate Romelu Lukaku did the damage.
Former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has had a huge turnover of players, but the club's love affair with this tournament remains as strong as ever as they claimed their record sixth victory and maintain their 100 percent record in Europa League finals.
The heart and desire Sevilla have shown throughout the mini-tournament in Germany was there for all to see again, not only to come from a goal down but also their fierce desire to defend late on when hanging on to their lead.
Lukaku scored his 34th goal of the season to tie the Brazilian great Ronaldo's tally for a debut season at Inter, but he was sadly involved in the two defining moments of the second half.
The former Man Utd striker first had a one-on-one saved by Sevilla keeper Bono, before divertin Diego Carlos' overhead kick into his own net on 74 minutes for what proved to be the winner.
Carlos lucky to avoid red card?
Diego Carlos was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he was only booked for giving away the fifth-minute penalty on Lukaku, when he dragged the Belgian down when through on goal - but the punishment was only a yellow.
Lukaku stepped up himself to slot Inter into an early lead.
It was a third straight game that Carlos had given away a penalty, and given his involvement in the eventual winner the decision to give him just a booking will one that will not be well received in Inter circles.
The lead only lasted until the 12th minute when De Jong produced a superb diving header to connect with a Jesus Navas cross and send the ball flying into the roof of the net.
De Jong then repeated the dose on 22 minutes, this time converting an Ever Banega free kick with a brilliant looping header from the far post.
Inter’s response was immediate though, as Godin flicked in a third headed goal of the half, Marcelo Brozovic’s delicious free kick meant he just had to guide it towards goal to score.
Goals & highlights
Sevilla 3-2 Inter Milan Opta stats
- Sevilla have won the UEFA Cup/Europa League six times, more than any other team in the history of the competition.
- Inter lost in a major UEFA European final for the first time since the 1997 UEFA Cup, when they lost on penalties to FC Schalke 04 after a 1-1 draw on aggregate over two legs.
- Since 2009/10, the Europa League has been won by a Spanish manager in six of the 11 finals (Unai Emery x3, Quique Sanchez Flores, Rafael Benitez, Julen Lopetegui).
- Sevilla have either progressed to the next round or won the competition in 21 of their last 22 Europa League knockout ties.
- Romelu Lukaku scored 34 goals in all competitions for Inter in 2019/20, the most by an Inter player in their debut season since Ronaldo scored 34 in 1997/98.
- Inter defender Diego Godin became the sixth player to have scored in a European Cup/Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League final, after Steven Gerrard, Hernan Crespo, Dmitri Alenichev, Allan Simonsen and Pedro.
- Romelu Lukaku’s goal in the fifth minute for Inter was the earliest in a UEFA Cup/Europa League final since 2001, when Liverpool’s Markus Babbel scored in the third minute against Alaves.
- Sevilla’s Diego Carlos conceded three penalties in the 2019/20 Europa League, the first player to concede that many in a single campaign since César Azpilicueta in 2012/13 for Chelsea.
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