A own goal and a missed penalty. Mancini’s unlucky goal secured Sevilla’s Europa League triumph

Last year Frankfurt won on penalties and this year the winner of the Europa League was decided by penalties. Sevilla eventually beat AS Roma to add a seventh trophy in this competition. The unlucky one was Gianluca Mancini, who scored an own goal and missed the penalty.

The first 20 minutes were very cautious and full of fouls, with the Romans feeling often irritated as the main referee was cutting the game up a lot. Emotions were running high. Sevilla were more active, but no shooting attempts.

Only Leandro Spinazzola’s finish is worth mentioning, but it only went into the middle of the net. In the 34th minute, the Wolves struck out of nowhere, with Argentine Paulo Dybala’s left-footed shot in the face of Bono making no mistake.

Eight minutes later, Fernando had the equaliser, but he headed narrowly over from a corner kick. Ivan Rakitic fired in from a free-kick, but his fierce shot from outside the box hit only the right post.

After the change of sides, the Spaniards were more active and equalised in the 56th minute. Jesus Navas’ centre was knocked into his own net by Gianluca Mancini. On the other side, Tammy Abraham had a great chance after a scramble, but Bono was not able to make a tackle.

In the 75th minute, the head referee first called a penalty for Sevilla, but after watching the replay, he cancelled it. On the other side, Andrea Belotti came close to hitting the post, but Bono flashed a third time save.

When Sevilla failed to take advantage of the pressure from the end of regulation time, the game went into extra time. In it, both teams reverted to cautious play, with the Spaniards holding the ball more, but it didn’t lead to any real danger.

The biggest opportunity of extra time came in the 131st minute, Chris Smalling’s header ended up on the crossbar. In the shootout, the first three shooters succeeded, but then the underdog of the match Mancini only tricked the goalkeeper’s foot.

When Roger Ibanez also failed and all four Sevilla shooters succeeded, the game was decided. The Spanish side celebrate their seventh Europa League triumph

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