Penalty specialists Sevilla beat Benfica 4-2 in a shootout to win the Europa League after a 0-0 draw on Wednesday, claiming another international title for Spanish soccer.
Beto saved two spot kicks from Benfica forwards Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo, whose stutter-step approaches to the ball didn’t fool the goalkeeper.
Substitute Kevin Gameiro stepped up to score the decisive kick at the end of the stadium where Sevilla fans stood and cheered. They have seen this story before.
Sevilla players celebrate with the Europa League trophy on Wednesday. (AP-Yonhap)
Sevilla beat rival Real Betis on penalties in the round of 16, and also won this competition in 2007 in a shootout.
Benfica dominated regulation time yet failed to score, and extended its streak of losing European finals to eight matches over 52 years.
“The best team did not win,” Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said. “Benfica players should be congratulated. There is nothing I can criticize.”
Sevilla entered the tournament only after UEFA denied two Spanish clubs places because of financial problems. It also had been seconds from elimination in the semifinals against another Spanish team, Valencia.
“We know how to suffer and we know how to fight. I think the result was fair,” said Sevilla coach Unai Emery. “It’s a very special evening.”
Sevilla, which won the competition for the third time in nine seasons, ensured Spain will sweep the season-ending European club competitions. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in the Champions League final on May 24. (AP)
FC Seoul advances to quartersFC Seoul advanced to the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League.
FC Seoul of the K League Classic lost to the J. League’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 in the second leg of their round of 16 series at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The South Korean club, however, still moved on to the next stage, thanks to its advantage in away goals.
FC Seoul and Kawasaki ended with four goals apiece, but FC Seoul had one more goal away from home than the Japanese side, after beating Kawasaki 3-2 in the opening leg held in Japan last week.
Three of the past five AFC champions have come from the K League Classic. This year, along with FC Seoul, Pohang Steelers have advanced to the quarterfinals. In the round of 16, Pohang knocked out a fellow K League Classic club, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, 3-1 on aggregate. (Yonhap)
