UEFA Europa League (UEL) Final 2023, Sevilla FC vs AS Roma: It was a night to remember for the Kings of the UEFA Europa League - Sevilla. By winning their seventh trophy and beating Italian side AS Roma in penalties, the team from Seville has established itself as the undisputed champions in the history of the competition. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

The Rojiblancos defeated the Giallorossi 4-1 in penalties after an intense display of attacking and defensive prowess from both sides. Both teams were equally matched and couldn't be separated for 120 minutes, with a scoreline of 1-1. Sevilla's Moroccan shot-stopper, Bono, stood out in the penalties. He managed to save two crucial penalties, which helped Sevilla lift the Europa League trophy at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. 

The match started with intensity. Both teams are known for their defensive styles, dirty play, and, on rare occasions, scoring a goal. But from the start, both teams didn't sit back but attacked with intent, creating chances to seize an early advantage in the game. This advantage came in the 11th minute when Argentine Paulo Dybala started the attack from the flanks, passing the ball inside the penalty box to Celik, who in turn passed it to a well-positioned Spinazzola. Spinazzola smashed the ball towards the Sevilla goal, but Bono was equally up to the task. 

Roma took their chances, and they were rewarded in the 34th minute when Paulo Dybala smashed the ball into the net from a through ball from defender Mancini. Dybala took a great first touch and smashed the ball into the bottom left corner of the Sevilla goal.  Sevilla fought back with intense buildups and attacks for the remaining part of the first half, and the closest they got was Ivan Rakitic came close to the Roma goal in the 45th+5 minutes.

Sevilla started the second half without losing any of the flare and intensity they had in the first half. And in the 55th minute, they were rewarded with an equaliser, which was an own goal from Mancini. Sevilla captain Jesus Navas whipped the ball in the middle of the penalty box, and it deflected off Mancini, going into the Roma goal.

Both teams were now back to square one, and they went toe-to-toe throughout the match, creating chances and making efforts to win. That effort came close in the 67th minute for AS Roma when captain Pellegrini delivered a beautiful ball from a free kick inside the penalty box, but Roma couldn't capitalise on the chance. They again came close in the 83rd minute when striker Belloti got a great chance from a Pellegrini free kick, which he put wide, and the match went to extra time.

Sevilla was the more dominant side in the 30 minutes of extra time. Roma had no chance of getting ahead, but Sevilla couldn't profit from any of the chances either. 

Sevilla FC vs AS Roma: Penalty shoot-out

In the penalties, Ocampos from Sevilla opened the scoring. Cristante opened for Roma. Lamela doubled it for Sevilla, but Mancini was denied by Bono's leg, and he couldn't equalise for Roma. Rakitic put Roma's keeper, Rui Patricio, the wrong way and made it three. Bono got a fingertip to save Ibanez's shot, which hit the post, doubling Sevilla's lead. Montiel was denied the penalty the first time for Sevilla but had to take it again as replays showed that Patricio had strayed off his line when the penalty was taken.  

Montiel made amends, Patricio misjudged the kick, dived to the wrong side, and giving Sevilla their seventh UEFA Europa League title in the process.

In the post-match interview, Sevilla manager José Luis Mendilibar said, "When they scored against us, you think that it will be very difficult to score against them. The equaliser came quickly in the second half and gave us the strength to continue in the fight to win the game."

AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho said, "We lost a game but not dignity. I've never gone home prouder than today." As it turns out, Sevilla handed the self-declared "Special One" his first defeat in European finals, and a lesson in humility as well.