At the end of the end, the Sevillians managed to overcome the Roman wall and Jose Mourinho's famous low block. Not totally, because it was not until the penalty shootout to send the Sevillians to seventh heaven.

In the middle of the Hungarian night, they lifted their seventh European trophy, in front of more than 10,000 of their trance supporters.

Sevilla's Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, voted man of the match, repelled Gianluca Mancini's second Roman attempt, then put pressure on and deflected Roger Ibanez's 4-1 hit.

The joy of Sevilla FC players who won the Europa League on penalties against AS Roma on May 31 in Budapest © Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP

The red and white club, very close to relegation to La Liga just two months ago, continues its crazy statistics: it remains unbeaten in the final of the Europa League with seven titles since 2006, a record (2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020).

In the middle of the table in La Liga (11th), Sevilla is again on the roof of small Europe and in the world of European football, with this qualification in the Champions League next year.

Like this final, the Spaniards have never given up throughout the European campaign, as against Juve in the semis. They ended up eliminating the Italians at the end of extra time in the second leg.

Sevilla's Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou elected man of the match for the final against AS Roma, on May 31, 2023 in Budapest © Joe Klamar / AFP

Third in its Champions League group, Sevilla FC successively beat PSV Eindhoven (3-0, 0-2), Fenerbahçe (2-0, 0-1), Manchester United (2-2, 3-0) and Juventus (1-1, 2-1) to reach this final.

Despite the opening score of AS Roma (35th) by the Argentine striker Paulo Dybala, announced injured, the Sevillians continued their siege in front of the Roman surface.

First European final lost for Mourinho

Throughout the first half, the red and whites struggled to get into the last 30 meters of Italy, blocked by the very compact defense.

At the very end of the first half, Croatian Ivan Rakitic thought he equalized by unleashing a powerful strike, but which hit the right post.

AS Roma striker Paulo Dybala (r) opens the scoring in front of Sevilla defender Loic Badé in the Europa League final, on May 31, 2023 in Budapest © Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP

In the second half, the Sevillians continued to dominate the Romans, who eventually faltered (55th). On the right, Jesus Navas, 37 and the oldest player in the final since 2008, centered on former Marseille Lucas Ocampos who missed his recovery in front of goal. But the ball fell back on the knee of Romain Mancini, who caught his goalkeeper on the wrong foot.

Always dominant in the game and duels, the Spaniards faced resistance from the Italians who avoided a penalty (77th) cancelled by VAR for a supposed contact on Ocampos.

Sevilla playmaker Ivan Rakitic during the Europa League final against AS Roma on May 31, 2023 in Budapest © Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP

On a free kick (83rd), the Romans were close to go in front but Andrea Belotti stumbled on the Moroccan goalkeeper, author of a superb parry.

In an unbridled end to the game, the two teams did not really break away, heading to overtime, where little happened.

Jose Mourinho had never lost a European final in his career and will not win his sixth European title, after his two Champions Leagues, his two Europa Leagues and the Europa Conference League won in 2022, already with Roma.

"History does not lie and in the last 20 years this club has been the best in this competition," Sevilla FC's Spanish coach Jose Luis Mendilibar said on Tuesday.

AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho (c) speaks to his players after the final lost on penalties to Sevilla on May 31, 2023 in Budapest © Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

The season is therefore missed for AS Roma, who remain on seven games without a win and a 6th place in Serie A, without Europe next year.

After this lost final, it is time to talk about the future of Jose Mourinho in Rome: announced in several clubs including insistently at Paris Saint-Germain, he assured Tuesday before the match that he had "no contact with other clubs".

© 2023 AFP