Sevilla Defeat Victor Moses' Inter Milan To Win 6th Europa League Title

Sevilla Defeat Victor Moses' Inter Milan To Win 6th Europa Title

By Admin

Sevilla won their sixth Europa League crown as Romelu Lukaku went from hero to villain in a thrilling Europa League final in Cologne..

The former Manchester United striker, who had opened the scoring with his 34th goal of a magnificent individual campaign, unwittingly turned into his own net in the 74th minute to hand Julen Lopetegui’s men a 3-2 victory.

Both sides had been rock solid defensively en route to the final – the only goal conceded by the pair in Germany coming from the penalty spot – before this encounter.

But there were fireworks from the off, on a night where Sevilla were once more the last team standing in what is very much their competition.

It took just four minutes for Antonio Conte’s side – having put five past Shakhtar Donetsk in their semi-final – opened the scoring.

Unsurprisingly, it was Lukaku who did the honours, firing home from the penalty spot after being brought down by Diego Carlos after racing through; Carlos was fortunate only to be booked after making no attempt to play the ball.

Ominously for Sevilla, Inter hadn’t conceded in their last seven outings, but within eight minutes Los Nervionenses were level, as Luuk de Jong – in from the start after his semi-final winner – headed home Jesus Navas’ fine cross.

A fine header from De Jong – who played 12 games on loan at Newcastle without scoring earlier in his career – put Sevilla in front after 33 minutes, only for wily veteran Diego Godin to equalise two minutes later, powering home Marcelo Brozovic’s excellent delivery.

Ten minutes later Carlos and Lukaku were involved at the other end, in the game’s deciding act.

Inter failed to clear their lines at a freekick, and as the ball shot up into the air, Carlos positioned himself, leapt and unleashed an overhead kick.

It was heading just wide of Samir Handanovic’s left-hand post, but Lukaku’s attempt to clear saw him unwittingly divert it into the roof of the net.

Alexis Sanchez almost levelled late on for Inter, only to see his effort cleared off the line as Sevilla held on to take hold of their trophy once more and continue Spain’s dominance of European finals – they’ve won all 15 between Spanish and non-Spanish sides since 2001.

Meanwhile, late introduction of former Super Eagles and Chelsea winger, Victor Moses could not change the scoreline (3-2) as Sevilla ran away with the 6th title.