Sevilla continued their remarkable record in Europa League finals with a nervy come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Inter Milan to win a record-extending sixth title in Cologne.
Sevilla defender Diego Carlos was both villain and hero giving away a penalty in the first half and then scoring the winner sixteen minutes from time to ensure Inter’s trophy drought will extend into a tenth year.
A thrilling, seesaw first half saw four goals scored in a crazy 30-minute spell as both sides took turns to give up leads.
Romelu Lukaku picked himself up after he had been fouled in the box by Carlos to put Inter ahead from the spot in the fifth-minute with his 34th goal of the season.
It was the third straight game Carlos had given away a penalty – doing so in wins against Wolves and Manchester United – and Lukaku’s strike extended his record of scoring in consecutive Europa League games to 11.
It also meant the Belgian equalled Brazilian great Ronaldo De Lima’s 1987-98 goals record for Inter in a debut season.
But just like they did after falling behind from the spot against Manchester United in the semifinals, Sevilla levelled and then went ahead.
Luuk de Jong, rewarded with a start after his match winning cameo against the Red Devils, scored two headers in the 12th and 33rd minutes – from Jesus Navas and Ever Banega crosses to put Sevilla in front.
Inter were level just two minutes later as Diego Godin nodded home from Marcelo Brozovic’s set piece to become only the sixth person to score in a Europa League and Champions League final nodded in to make it 2-2 in the 35th minute.
The second half was played at a more sedate pace with both sides perhaps continuing the gung-ho tempo of the first half.
Lukaku should have scored from a one-on-one when he broke away but Yassine Bounou saved brilliantly to foil the Belgian.
That save proved priceless later on when Carlos launched a spectacular overhead kick that appeared to be heading wide, but Lukaku absentmindedly stuck out his leg to divert it past his own goalkeeper.
Conte threw on Nigerian winger Victor Moses as Inter sought to rescue the game but former Chelsea man lost his footing when poised to shoot in the box.
Substitute Alex Sanchez saw an effort cleared off the line late on as Inter scrambled for an equaliser but they ran out of time eventually as Sevilla held on for a sixth win in six Europa League finals.
It was a first trophy in the managerial career of Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui whose team are now unbeaten in 21 games – a run that stretches from February.
Inter boss Antonio Conte, however, faces an uncertain future after public disagreements with the clubs owner and the ex-Chelsea boss could depart after one season in charge despite leading them to a second place finish in Serie A – their highest position since 2011.
