Spanish side Sevilla sensationally claimed a third Europa League title after a dramatic penalty shoot-out in which Benfica pair Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo missed from the spot to extend the Portuguese giants’ European final hoodoo in Turin on Wednesday.
Benfica’s fans, celebrating in Turin only weeks ago having knocked Juventus out of the competition during a scoreless second leg draw in their semi-final, had plenty of reason to feel aggrieved.
The Portuguese were solid throughout and although Sevilla, steered admirably by the surging runs and intelligent play of Croatian captain Ivan Rakitic, created chances of their own, Benfica should have had scored before the break.
Sevilla’s Portuguese ‘keeper Beto produced two crucial saves in succession, first denying Maxi Pereria from point-blank range as he ran on to volley and then diving low to block Rodrigo’s angled drive.
Benfica had claims for a penalty waved away when Nicolas Gaitan tumbled under a challenge from Federico Fazio and Sevilla’s defence was tested again at the start of a busy second half when Nicolas Pareja cleared Lima’s goal-bound shot off the line and then two chances by Rodrigo were blocked by an astute Spanish defence.
Lima was then only denied by a superbly-timed challenge from Coke as he waited to pull the trigger on Pereira’s cross.Rodrigo’s first-time shot was then blocked by Fazio, and from virtually out of nowhere on 84 minutes Lima fired a curling drive which forced Beto to tip to safety.
The match remained scoreless after two 15-minute periods of extra time and when it came to penalties Sevilla - who claimed the second of their two titles from the Europa League’s predecessor, the Uefa Cup in 2007 - stepped up to the plate.
Sevilla coach Unai Emery admitted it had been “delicate” keeping his troops focused.
