Sevilla clinched the Europa League title with a 3-2 win over Inter Milan after an overhead kick by defender Diego Carlos deflected by the Italian side’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku settled a thrilling contest on Friday.
The Spanish side have won the trophy for a record-breaking sixth time – all of which have come since their maiden triumph in 2006.
Sevilla won the final when Diego Carlos’s audacious overhead kick was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Romelu Lukaku.
It was an astonishing anti-climax to Lukaku’s first season at Inter after he had set the longest scoring run by a player in Uefa Cup/Europa League history when he netted in the 11th successive game to give Inter an early lead.
A final that will live long in the memory. No fans were present inside the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but the two teams still managed to produce a high-quality, incident-packed match.
Lukaku also equalled former Brazil striker Ronaldo’s club record of 34 goals for Inter in a season in all competitions, but it was scant consolation as gritty Sevilla claimed a record-extending sixth title in Europe’s second-tier competition.
Inter and Sevilla went into the half-time break level at 2-2 following a thrilling opening 45 minutes.
Lukaku broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the third minute after being brought down by Diego Carlos.
The lightning counter ended with the Sevilla defender tripping Lukaku before the towering Belgium striker steered his spot-kick past goalkeeper Yassine Bono.
De Jong, who came off the bench to score Sevilla’s winner in a 2-1 semifinal win over Manchester United, showed his predatory instinct again with a pair of headers which turned the tide.
The Dutchman levelled in the 12th minute after a delightful cross from the right by Jesus Navas and then beat Inter keeper Samir Handanovic in the 33rd with a looping header after Ever Banega floated in a free cross.
De Jong, who failed to score a single goal during a disappointing loan spell with Newcastle United during the 2013-14 campaign, rose highest to head Ever Banega’s cross past Samir Handanovic.
But the drama continues moments later when Diego Godin produced an equally good header to make it 2-2.
The pace dropped after the break before Lukaku spurned a gilt-edged chance in the 65th minute, as he could only muster a tame shot at Bono after racing clear of Diego Carlos again from the halfway line.
Lukaku, who left Manchester United last summer, will remember this match for all the wrong reasons despite scoring the opener.
Lukaku compounded his second half nightmare in the 74th minute as Carlos, who was lucky not to be sent off when he conceded the penalty, unleashed a speculative overheaded kick after Inter failed to clear yet another set piece.
The ball seemed to be going wide of Handanovic’s left-hand post but Lukaku instinctively stuck his foot out and it ended up in the roof of the net.
Alexis Sanchez came on and almost scored with his first touch.
The Chilean, who also joined Inter from Man Utd, saw his close-range effort cleared off the line.
Sevilla held onto their one-goal advantage and the celebrations will continue long into the night.
It was a joyful end of the season for their coach Julen Lopetegui, who won his first trophy as coach at senior level after a torrid period which saw him sacked by Spain and Real Madrid.
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