Romelu Lukaku may have made history for Inter in a thrilling final, but it was Sevilla who came out on top to claim a record sixth Europa League title.
Sevilla proved once again why they are the Europa League kings upon overseeing a 3-2 victory over Inter Milan for a record sixth title, and fourth one in just seven years.
It was a brilliant and action-packed final in Cologne, one that football fans around the world have been craving for since the coronavirus pandemic came upon us earlier this year.
The drama began in only the fifth minute of the match when Diego Carlos fouled Romelu Lukaku in the box. The Belgian then fired home a penalty to equal Ronaldo Nazario’s record as the highest-scoring debutant for Inter on 34 goals.
The penalty also extended his scoring run in the Europa League/UEFA Cup to 11 successive matches, including seven for Inter.
Moreover, Lukaku also equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s European record for scoring in six successive knockout matches as noted by OptaJoe.
6 – Romelu Lukaku is the first player to score in six consecutive knockout stage matches in major European competition since Cristiano Ronaldo between 2012 and 2013. Inevitable. #UEL pic.twitter.com/nQVEJvagN1
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 21, 2020
But Luuk de Jong responded just seven minutes later by heading in Jesus Navas’ cross. The Dutch striker, who scored the winner against Manchester United in the semi-finals, then put Sevilla in front by heading in a Ever Banega cross in the 33rd-minute.
Although Inter responded almost instantly as Marcelo Brozovic found Diego Godin, who hit a powerful header past Sevilla keeper Bono to level the scoreline.
But Carlos, who was the villain of the first half, got his redemption in style by springing into the air and firing the ball into the goal through a bicycle kick, which ironically took a deflection off Lukaku.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
CHAMPI6NS ⚪🔴#WeAreAllOfYou #UELFinal #WeareSevilla pic.twitter.com/k0WTDMUivX
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) August 21, 2020
So Sevilla’s love story with the Europa League continues after beating Inter 3-2, with the club having never lost a final in the competition in six outings.
Make no mistake about it, though. This is a completely different team to the one that won three successive titles under Unai Emery between 2014 and 2016.
Credit must go to Julen Lopetegui for the way he turned things around in Andalusia. His tactical prowess earned him widespread praise this season while helping Sevilla become faster and more efficient upfront as part of his overhaul.
The former Real Madrid and Spain boss’ efforts have been duly awarded with the first club trophy of his managerial career
🚨 FULL TIME IN COLOGNE! 🚨
1⃣
2⃣
3⃣
4⃣
5⃣
AND NOW…
6⃣ 🏆
🏴 🇵🇱 ¡SIX-TIME EUROPA LEAGUE WINNERS! ⚪️🔴
⚽️ @LuukdeJong9 (2) – Diego Carlos
#WeareSevilla #WeAreAllOfYou #UELFinal pic.twitter.com/kBOKCTfhiW— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) August 21, 2020
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