Sevilla won their successive UEFA Cup by beating Espanyol in a spectacular 3-1 penalty shootout. With this win, Sevilla becomes only the second club ever to successfully defend the UEFA Cup.
In a tense end-to-end-end encounter, Sevilla managed to better their opponents, ultimately. The score line ended all square at a goal a piece by the time normal time ended. Two strikes in the extra time and it meant that a penalty shootout was needed to separate the two reams and determine the cup holders for this year. By the time, dust had settled on the grounds, Sevilla had beaten Espanyol 3-1, on penalties, to take home the title.
Match recap
The all-Spanish encounter at the Hampden Park on Wednesday was a tense affair. Sevilla started as the clear favorites against the opponents struggling in the bottom half of La Liga. Espanyol, however, looked in a better shape to win the encounter in the initial half hour. That, despite the opening goal, which went to Sevilla in the 18th minute. Sevilla’s Brazilian midfielder Adriano scored the opening goal. Alberto Riera, who scored with a deflected shotfor Espanyol, canceled out his strike within ten minutes.
At the half-time, Sevilla substituted Jesus Navas for Maresca at the right flank. Espanyol again started brightly by testing Sevilla’s goalie Andres Palop on more than one occasion. Palop did exceedingly well to keep out a close range effort from Tmudo and did even better to save from Riera. Walter Pandiani, tournament’s leading scorer, who was made to sit on the bench, was brought in at this stage.
Things, however, took a turn for the worse for Espanyol, with just 20 minutes of normal time remaining. Their defender Moises Hurtado was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 68th minute. Espanyol managed to hold on and it was 1-1 at the end of the 90 minutes.
In the extra time, Fredi Kanoute scored for Sevilla and all seemed lost for 10-man Espanyol. However, Espanyol’s efforts were justly rewarded when Joantas let one fly from 25 yards and found the bottom corner.
Penalty shootout
The good work that Espanyol managed over the entire match was spoilt by their dismal failure from the spot. Their poor efforts from 12 yards were saved by some exceptional goal keeping from Palop. He saved from Luis Garcia, Jonatas and Marc Torrejon to keep Sevilla on course for the title. Kanoute, Ivica Dragutinovic, and Antonio Puerta scored for Sevilla although Daniel Alves blasted high over the bar. With Sevilla holding nerves, the scoreline read 3-1 at the end of the penalty shootout.
Andres Palop - Sevilla’s hero
Palop had an exceptional match in the goal for Sevilla. Not only did he save three penalties under pressure, he even set up the opening goal by releasing Adriano with a huge throw. Even earlier in the competituion, he had come to Sevilla’s rescue by scoring a headed goal against Shakhtar Donetsk in the last 16. At the end of the game, Palop said:
We thought they were catching up with us and then they drew level, but penalties are complicated. I want Sevilla’s name to sound out all over Europe.
Sevilla coach, Judane Ramos was delighted and said:
I am proud, happy and satisfied. We were never behind, we were ahead twice and they caught up with us. We had chances to get the third goal but we weren’t able to close the game out. Espanyol fought hard with 10 men and it was difficult to play against them. Finally, the penalties arrived but overall Sevilla were the superior side.
