Record winners Sevilla of Spain on Wednesday in Budapest claimed a seventh Europa League title with a 4-1 win on penalty kicks against Roma, after a 1-1 extra-time deadlock.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was Sevilla’s hero, saving efforts from Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibanez, before Gonzalo Montiel converted the deciding penalty kick.
This was as he did for Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final match against France.
Montiel’s first attempt was saved by Rui Patricio, who thought he had kept Roma in the fight for the title.
But the kick had to be retaken because the goalkeeper came off the line —— and Montiel did not waste his second chance.
Lucas Ocampos, Erik Lamela and Ivan Rakitic also hit the net in the shootout, while Bryan Cristante was the only player on target for Roma.
“This is amazing. I can’t ask for more. This feeling is unbelievable. We’re going to enjoy it,” forward Lamela said.
“It was a tough game to play. Roma defend well and it was difficult to find spaces and create situations,” he said.
It was a heartbreaking evening for Mancini, who in the 55th minute scored an own goal to cancel Paulo Dybala’s 35th-minute opener.
Roma had the first big chance of the game in the 12th minute, when Leonardo Spinazzola’s shot was brilliantly palmed by Bounou.
But they found their breakthrough in the 35th minute, thanks to Dybala.
A long pass from Mancini found the Argentinian on his way into the penalty box and he just slotted it home past the advancing Bounou.
Sevilla increased the pressure into the final minutes of the first half, and saw Fernando’s header after a corner-kick going over the crossbar in the 43rd minute.
