UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE: SEVILLA – SL BENFICA (0-0)

The second half brought little respite. In three minutes, Nico Pareja was the hero once again, first stopping Rodrigo scoring a certain goal, and then again, this time foiling Lima’s attempt. The Argentine was staking a claim for the man of the match award for his side and he gave them a boost, with Sevilla gathering themselves and showing how lethal they could be. A pass from Rakitic that Reyes wasn’t able to make the most of was the first warning, but the chance revitalized the Spaniards. Both sides went for it and the game benefitted as a spectacle. Both sides had chances. For Sevilla, Bacca and Reyes were involved in a good counter attack that they couldn’t finish off and the Spaniard once again in the 61st minute had a chance on goal but his shot didn’t have the power needed to beat Oblak.

Sevilla began to have more chances, and their confidence grew, as did the time they spent in Benfica’s half. They started to dominate, but Benfica showed their fight, and with both sides going toe to toe, the match entered its final stages. Vitolo, who was particularly inspired, created danger on every break, but Beto couldn’t let his guard down for even a moment due to a number of clear chances for the Portuguese side. Marin came on for Reyes, but in the final moments of normal time, the players became less inclined to take so many risks, particularly Emery’s men, who dug in faced with an onslaught from Benfica until the referee brought normal time to an end.

The final was more than exciting. It was so tense that even the stands fell silent

Sevilla had a breather and the whole squad and coaching staff got together before the players headed back out on to the pitch. The victory would not be easy. Jorge Jesús replaced Siqueira with Cardozo in a clear attacking move and the Paraguayan tested Beto with his first attempt, a free kick that the Sevilla ‘keeper managed to clear. Carlos Bacca had an even better chance on the counter, but he couldn’t make anything of his one on one with Oblak. Practically the next action saw Emery bring on Gameiro for Marin. The tension remained, and the second half of extra-time arrived. Vitolo was replaced by Diogo, but the match was heading towards penalties, although either team could have won it.

The final stages were so tense that even the stands fell silent, with all 22 players playing through the pain, and over 40,000 fans suffering in the stands of the Juventus Stadium. And so, once again, Sevilla would have to win the UEFA Cup from 12 yards. Perhaps it was the fairest way in a pulsating final, in which both teams deserved their share of the glory, for first competing with quality and then with heart. The fateful shootout arrived, and Beto became Palop. The hero was Portuguese, but didn’t play for Benfica. At 1-1 Cardozo stepped up, but he hesitated, and Beto diverted his penalty wide. Mbia scored and Rodrigo’s follow-up was saved by a brilliant Beto. Coke made it 3-1 and, although Lima prolonged his team’s agony, Gameiro settled it with a goal that put Sevilla among the greats, among the champions, among the giants of Europe, but above all, a goal that gives them back what’s theirs. Their cup. Sevilla made their dreams a reality again.