Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Sevilla 0-0 Benfica (4-2 Pen) : Sevilla win Europa League on penalties

Sevilla have won the Europa League after beating Benfica in a penalty shootout after a goalless final in Turin.

Both sides had half chances inside the opening 10 minutes, but Lima was denied by a Beto block, while a Ivan Rakitic free kick failed to find Vitolo.

Rakitic continued to pose a threat for the Spanish side in the opening 30 minutes, but had little support from his teammates as he tried to set up the opening goal.

Sevilla finished the first half strongly, with Vitolo crossing the ball in for Alberto Moreno, who could only send his shot straight at Jan Oblak.

The Portuguese side tried to catch their opponents out on the counter-attack, but Rodrigo's initial effort was cleared while Luisao headed over.

Benfica wanted a penalty just before the break when Nicolas Gaitan fell under pressure from Federico Fazio, but German referee Felix Brych did not award the spot kick.

Benfica were the stronger of the two sides at the start of the second half, creating a string of chances shortly after the restart, but they were unable to break the deadlock.

Sevilla managed to find their way back into the tie, but a Rakitic delivery to Jose Antonio Reyes was sent just inches wide by the winger.

The Portuguese side were appealing for a penalty again just before the hour mark when Lima took a tumble in the box, but once again Brych waved their appeals away.

Following a spell of chances at either end, Reyes found himself through on goal for the Spanish team, but blasted his shot straight at the Benfica keeper to keep the scores level.

Benfica looked the stronger of the two sides as full time approached, as Lima and Ezequiel Garay both came close inside the final five minutes, but they could not force a winner before extra time.

Garay continued to look sharp at the start of the extra half hour, but his volley from just inside the box was high.

Beto had the remain alert as Lima tried to blast the ball in from a free kick, but the keeper managed to gather after initially spilling the ball.

Both sets of players seem to tire as extra wore on, with the prospect of a penalty shootout looming.

Stephane M'Bia had a last-gasp effort for Sevilla, but his strike from the edge of the box was high and wide, forcing the match to spot kicks.

The fingertips of Beto managed to deny Oscar Cardoza with the second of Benfica's spot kicks after the striker stuttered on his run up.

The Sevilla keeper made it two out of three when he denied Rodrigo, whose right-footed strike lacked power.

Luisao kept Benfica in the shootout, calmly converting their fourth spot kick, but Moreno sealed it for Sevilla with a powerful strike into the top corner to give the Spanish side the title.




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