Sevilla claim third straight Europa League crown
Baku, May 19, AZERTAC
Sevilla continued their reign as kings of the UEFA Europa League as a rousing second-half fightback proved too much for Liverpool at Basel's St. Jakob-Park and secured them an unprecedented third straight title in the competition - and a record-extending fifth overall, according to UEFA website.
Sevilla were in their third successive final whereas Liverpool had not appeared in a European showpiece for nine years - yet there was little sign of nerves from the English newcomers. Emre Can forced the first save of the evening from David Soria before ten minutes had been played, then Daniel Carriço acrobatically cleared a Daniel Sturridge header off the line.
Roared on by a fair portion of the crowd, Liverpool kept coming, with Soria quickly off his line to block another Sturridge effort. The Sevilla goalkeeper was helpless in the 35th minute, however, as Roberto Firmino found Sturridge again inside the penalty area; the striker supplied a sumptuous finish with the outside of his left foot and Liverpool were in front.
Jürgen Klopp's side piled on the pressure in a bid to extend their lead, Carriço making another important block to deny Adam Lallana before the break. Sevilla were clinging on - yet 17 seconds into the second half they were level.
A weak headed clearance from their former full-back Alberto Moreno gave Mariano Ferreira an opening and the winger burst into the penalty box before crossing low for Kevin Gameiro in space to notch his eighth UEFA Europa League goal of the season from a metre out.
The goalscorer was then thwarted by Kolo Touré's sliding tackle as he threatened to burst clear and then mis-hit a volley straight at Simon Mignolet having been left unmarked.
Sevilla, however, would make their dominance count. Vitolo and Éver Banega played a one-two on the edge of the area before Coke burst on to the ball to curl brilliantly beyond Mignolet.
Six minutes later, the ball broke for the Sevilla midfielder inside the box and once more the finish was unerring, ensuring the trophy would head to Seville yet again.
Other news in this section
