Spanish club Sevilla have lifted the Europa League trophy for a third successive season by beating Liverpool 3-1 in Basel.
Sevilla will return to the Champions League again next season, victory earned by a superb second-half comeback after they trailed to a Daniel Sturridge goal.
A Kevin Gameiro striker and two from Coke provided a deserved win, which leaves Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool without European football next term.
Emre Can had the first shot of the match in the eighth minute, David Soria pushing the ball away to his left.
Then Sturridge had an effort, but he couldn't hook a shot into the net from Nathaniel Clyne's pass -- a defender clearing from inside the six-yard box.
Sturridge then had another chance in the 25th minute but Soria came out to smoother his effort.
Sevilla got their first real chance on the half hour, Kevin Gameiro going inches wide with the overhead kick.
Liverpool found the breakthrough in the 33rd minute, and it was Sturridge with a wonderful finish. He received the ball just inside the area and beat Soria with a superb, curling effort with the outside of his left foot that bent inside the opposite post.
Liverpool thought they had a second five minutes later when Dejan Lovren headed in from a corner but Sturridge, in an offside position, attempted to get a flick on the ball and the flag went up.
The Premier League side were dominate now, in search of a second before half-time, but they had to be content with a one-goal advantage.
But all Liverpool's hard work was undone just 17 seconds after the restart as Sevilla levelled. Mariano skipped past two defenders before superbly squaring for Gameiro, who couldn't miss from five yards out.
Two minutes later and Gameiro was through on goal. He looked certain to get a shot away until he was caught by Kolo Toure, who made a vital last-ditch tackle to snuff out the danger.
Sevilla were bossing the second half, and Gameiro missed another chance on the hour -- N'Zonzi's flick on dropped for the striker but Mignolet managed to force the ball over the bar.
And they got their reward in the 64th minute, Coke with a fine finish from the edge of the box to turn the tie on its head.
The Spanish side's outstanding comeback was complete five minutes later as Coke notched his second -- with a huge slice of luck. The ball took a double deflection of two Liverpool players and ran to the unmarked Coke, who managed to beat Mignolet. Liverpool protested furiously, but at no point was there a moment when Coke could have been offside.
Liverpool could find no way back, and Sevilla once again celebrated on the European stage.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Up LA LIGA, the best league in the world. CONGRATULATIONS 😤
ReplyDeleteSevilla have loads of talented individuals capable of doing great things in the upcoming euro 2016. Quite a dominant win.
ReplyDelete