Sevilla won their third consecutive Europa League title after coming from behind to beat Liverpool 3-1 in Basel, with two goals from captain Coke ruining Liverpool’s dreams of a Champions League berth next season.
Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla: Match report
It was Liverpool’s second cup final this season, after their League Cup final appearance against Manchester City, and considering their first half showing, they looked to be on course for their first piece of silverware after Daniel Sturridge gave them the lead midway through the first half with a brilliant strike with the outside of the boot, a goal that was richly deserved for Jurgen Klopp’s men after a dominant opening 45 minutes in which three penalty decisions went against them and Dejan Lovren’s header was disallowed for offside.
However, Kevin Gameiro tapped in just 17 seconds after the restart following a rampaging run from full-back Mariano to start their comeback. Gameiro, Sevilla’s top scorer this season, could have put the Spanish side in front minutes later after being put through on goal but was denied by the onrushing Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.
From such a strong position, Liverpool visibly disintegrated after the equaliser. Full back Alberto Moreno endured a horrific second half, struggling against the pace and purpose of a reinvigorated Sevilla. And when captain Coke swept in just after the hour after a good move to give his side the lead on the night, Liverpool’s chances of a 12th European trophy looked all but over.
With Liverpool running out of ideas, Coke ensured the Europa League trophy would return to Spain once more after a cruel deflection left the attacker in acres of space, with the 29 year-old lashing home to dash Liverpool’s hopes of a first ever Europa League triumph and inflict their second cup final defeat of the season.
Europa League Final Stats – with InStat Football Analysis
Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla: Highlights
Liverpool 1-0 Sevilla: Daniel Sturridge (35′)
.@DanielSturridge with a strike worthy of any final. ? #UELfinal https://t.co/JGXbDFxFJk
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 18, 2016
Liverpool 1-1 Sevilla: Kevin Gameiro (46′)
What a start to the second half for @SevillaFC_ENG! @kevingameiro9 equalises 17 seconds from the restart. #UELfinalhttps://t.co/Ona0seUeZa
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 18, 2016
Liverpool 1-2 Sevilla: Coke (64′)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sdmfp1ozp4
Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla: Coke (70′)
What a turnaround! Coke scores his second of the game to put @SevillaFC_ENG 3-1 up. #UELfinalhttps://t.co/SHPRPwbfmO
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 18, 2016
Sevilla lift the Europa League trophy
Five-time winners ✅
Three in a row ✅
Congratulations @SevillaFC_ENG, @EuropaLeague winners! ? https://t.co/sIlETfianj— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 18, 2016
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
