1-1 AET (4-1pens): SEVEN TIMES IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE

They said it couldn't happen. They said it was impossible. A miraculous win against Manchester United. Juventus vanquished in the semi-finals. Roma defeated in Budapest. We are seven-time champions of the Europa League. The trophy is returning home once again after another magical night in Europe. 

It was a final began in cagey fashion. Roma defended deep and looked to play on the break. Both teams had corners and then Leonardo Spinazzola forced Bono into a save with just over a quarter of an hour played. We looked to find a way through Roma's defensive block or by playing long balls up to Youssef En-Nesyri but the Moroccan was isolated and couldn't find a teammate. With half an hour gone, VAR looked at a possible penalty for a challenge on Tammy Abraham by Nemanja Gudelj, however, Anthony Taylor saw the Serbian's clean connection with the ball and play restarted. 

With ten minutes to go until the break, Roma took the lead after Mancini played Dybala through and he clinically finished into the bottom corner. It played perfectly into their game plan as they could sit in and defend deep. We pressed up the pitch and in added time at the end of the first half we had a fantastic chance to equalise when Ivan Rakitić was unfortunate to see his shot from distance hit the post.

At the start of the second half José Luis Mendilibar was quick to make his move, bringing on Erik Lamela and Suso and taking off Óliver Torres and Bryan Gil. The changes soon worked as within ten minutes of the restart we were level. Jesús Navas was the architect as he crossed into the six-yard box and Mancini couldn't deal with the cross and turned the ball in for an own goal. Roma put pressure on our goal and Roger Ibañez had a chance after a scramble in the box midway through the second half, but his shot went wide. Shortly after, Suso crossed into the box but Lucas Ocampos headed over. As the tension built referee Taylor was at the centre of it all as he first turned down a penalty appeal after a challenge from Ibañez on Ocampos. José Mourinho also protested a handball by Fernando inside the box which once again Taylor deemed not to be a penalty. Late on substitute Andrea Belotti clipped the ball wide from a well-worked free-kick but ultimately we had the better chances but we couldn't convert as the game finished level at the end of 90 minutes. 

Extra time was a nervous affair as two dangerous free-kicks from Roma and a corner that could have put the game to bed. Chris Smalling hit the crossbar with a header at the death but in the end, it would be penalties to decide the 2023 UEFA Europa League champions. Ocampos took the first penalty and converted. Bryan Cristante did likewise for Roma. Lamela scored. Then Bono saved from Mancini. Rakitic made no mistake to give us the advantage and then Ibañez hit the post to put us on the cusp of victory. Gonzalo Montiel missed but with Rui Patricio the penalty was retaken. This time he made no mistake as he smashed the ball into the side netting to write another incredible chapter in our history. WE ARE SEVEN-TIME CHAMPIONS!