Coach Jose Mourinho lost for the first time in a European Cup final when Roma lost 1-4 to Sevilla on penalties in the final match of the Europa League.
The two central defenders Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibanez both missed their kicks, causing Roma to lose 1-4 in the penalty shootout, losing the Europa League title and losing their place in the Champions League next season. Mourinho and his team will have to regret missing many good opportunities in regular time and extra time, when the score was 1-1.
Sevilla lift the trophy after winning the Europa League final penalty shootout on the evening of May 31, 2023 at Puskas Stadium in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: Sevilla FC
Sevilla, meanwhile, showed the mettle of the most successful team in Europa League history, winning all four penalty shootouts. They have won all seven finals they have played in the competition, including their victory over Roma.
The turning point of the shootout came from Mancini, who had scored an own goal to tie Roma 1-1 in the second half. Mancini was given the captain's armband after Lorenzo Pellegrini was taken off. He was visibly nervous even as teammate Bryan Cristante had just taken the first kick. Mancini's second shot was a powerful shot that hit the back of goalkeeper Bono's leg and bounced off.
Mancini's missed penalty kick.
In Roma's next round, it was Ibanez's turn to hit the post and bounce out, and fate once again handed over to Gonzalo Montiel. This defender had scored in the decisive penalty shootout that helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, and this time he successfully converted to lead Sevilla to their seventh Europa League title.
Goalkeeper Bono was also a hero for Sevilla with three important saves. He was only beaten once in the 35th minute, from a one-on-one with striker Paulo Dybala. Ivan Rakitic lost the ball in midfield when pressured by Bryan Cristante. Centre-back Mancini took advantage of his opponent complaining to the referee to pass the ball to Dybala who rushed in and fired into the far corner to open the scoring for Roma.
Dybala's dangerous shot...
...helped Roma open the scoring. Photo: Reuters, AP
Dybala ran to hug the Roma medical staff as they were returning to their seats. The team's substitutes also rushed onto the pitch, while members of the coaching staff jumped up to hug each other. The Puskas Stadium exploded, flares flashed in the stands, smoke billowed from the pitch. The only Roma player not to celebrate was Mourinho, who walked back and waved his arms in a sign that the match was not over yet.
Seven minutes of added time were added to the first half and the ball was only rolling in Roma's half. Rakitic almost made up for his mistake with a left-footed shot that hit the post and bounced off. Roma were lucky the ball missed goalkeeper Rui Patricio and bounced back into the net.
Roma continued to pour concrete in the second half but they soon conceded a goal from an own goal. From a cross from Jesus Navas on the right of Sevilla, centre-back Mancini tried to clear the ball and kicked it straight into his own net, leaving goalkeeper Patricio helpless. Mourinho had to call on his players to calm down after this goal.
Mancini's own goal (number 23). Photo: EPA
Roma were dominated in the second half but created even more dangerous chances, but goalkeeper Bono denied all of his opponents' efforts. In the 66th minute, striker Tammy Abraham shot from close range but hit the Sevilla goalkeeper. Also from a set piece, striker Andrea Belotti escaped and shot in a one-on-one situation but Bono used his hand to push the ball out.
Referee Anthony Taylor was also in the spotlight when he repeatedly showed yellow cards to Roma players. He awarded a penalty to Sevilla in the 75th minute, but then reviewed the situation and overturned the decision. A few minutes later, Nemanja Matic crossed the ball and hit a Sevilla defender's hand in the penalty area, when his hand was not close to his body. But referee Taylor firmly refused to award a penalty, and even showed a yellow card to a member of Roma's coaching staff. Mr. Taylor had been criticized several times by Mourinho when the coach was still working in the Premier League.
In extra time, Sevilla were a bit out of breath and were pressured by Roma in the final minutes. In the final situation, center-back Chris Smalling headed the ball into Sevilla's crossbar, causing him to hold his head in regret. A few minutes earlier, Mourinho almost got into a fight with Sevilla players after Matic was on the ground, and he was given a yellow card.
Mourinho argued with Marcao at the end of extra time. Photo: Reuters
The Spanish side have once again asserted their European dominance, having won 18 consecutive finals against foreign opponents. Spanish teams are also unbeaten in 23 Champions League and Europa League finals since 2001, a run that will last until at least 2024.
Starting lineup
Sevilla : Bono, Jesus Navas (Montiel 95), Gudelj (Marcao 127), Bade, Alex Telles (Rekik 95), Fernando (Jordan 128), Rakitic, Ocampos, Torres (Lamela 46), Gil (Suso 46), En-Nesyri.
Roma : Rui Patricio, Ibanez, Mancini, Smalling, Spinazzola (Llorente 106), Cristante, Matic (Bove 120), Celik (Zalewski 91), Pellegrini (El Shaarawy 106), Dybala (Wijnaldum 68), Abraham (Belotti 75).
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