Spanish side Sevilla have won the Europa League final, beating Roma 4-1 on penalties after a heated 1-1 battle that sent the game to extra time at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary on May 31, 2023. The historical tie saw a total of 13 bookings before the final whistle.
Paolo Dybala’s clinical strike in the 34th minute gave Roma the lead following a deft through ball from Gianluca Mancini.
Gianluca Mancini’s own goal gave Sevilla the equalizer in the 54th minute, keeping the score level until the 90th.
During the 90 minutes of regular time, no team was able to break the stalemate, despite Sevilla’s penalty call being overturned by VAR.
After extra 30 minutes of play, neither team had scored, hence penalties were now required to determine the winner.
Sevilla netted four spot kicks to claim victory for the evening, while Roma only managed to score one of its three attempts.
Chris Smalling almost wrote his name in the history books of the competition when his header hit the crossbar in the 130th minute and was close to securing the title for the Italian side.
“We are very disappointed, we came here determined to win, and we gave everything. On the penalties,it is a lottery,and those who came forward did very well in my eyes.” said Smalling.
“You all saw the disappointment of everyone, and the opponent’s celebration will stay with us for a while. We must have another opportunity next season too.” Smalling added.
“The team stood up and pulled everything out because Sevilla are very big and we have fought like nobody else. The fans carry us, and this is a competition that has given us a lot. We’re back to making history, to being among the greats,” said Jesus Navas, the captain of Sevilla.
Sevilla had a record-high seven victories in the Europa League championship. The Spanish team, who placed 11th in the La Liga competition, has now qualified automatically for the UEFA Champions League the following year.
If Sevilla wins the Europa Cup, they will compete in the Super Cup final on August 16, 2023, in Piraeus, Greece, against the winner of the UEFA Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.
