In a remarkable display of their Europa League prowess, Sevilla once again demonstrated their winning formula by triumphing over Roma in a thrilling final. The match, held in Budapest, ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, with Paulo Dybala scoring for Roma and Gianluca Mancini unintentionally netting an own goal for Sevilla. The tension-filled game, filled with emotions, reached its climax in a penalty shootout at the vibrant Puskas Arena. It was there that Sevilla's goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, emerged as the hero by making two crucial saves, securing their victory and maintaining their flawless record of seven out of seven wins in the competition's finals.
Sevilla's victory was sealed by Gonzalo Montiel, who confidently converted the winning penalty kick. As soon his shot touched the back of the net, there was ecstasy in the Sevilla camp after both Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibanez missed their spot-kicks for Roma. This triumph holds significant significance for the 62-year-old Sevilla coach, Jose Luis Mendilibar, as it marks his first major trophy since assuming the managerial role in March. Mendilibar's impressive accomplishment in such a short period of time adds another layer of celebration to Sevilla's remarkable achievement.
"When I arrived I told the players that they were very good but that they were not mentally in the right place and that was my job," Mendilibar said. "They have shown me in the end that they are very good," he added.
Roma manager Jose Mourinho experienced a heart-breaking moment as his team suffered defeat, marking his first loss in a European final following five previous victories. The disappointment was palpable for Mourinho, who has enjoyed success in such high-stakes matches before. Despite the electrifying atmosphere generated by the passionate fans before the start of the game, the initial moments of the match failed to live up to the vibrant ambiance showcased in the stands. The contrast between the colourful and lively support from the spectators and the relatively subdued on-field action was apparent in the early stages of the contest.
Having said that, it turned out to be a thrilling finish to the game one that eventually went Sevilla's way.