Sevilla handed Jose Mourinho his first defeat in a European Cup final on Wednesday in Budapest, delivering a crushing blow to the renowned Portuguese tactician’s impeccable record.
Mourinho had entered the
match with an unprecedented streak of never losing in a European Cup final,
having emerged victorious in all five previous attempts.
However, Sevilla proved
to be a formidable opponent, ultimately triumphing over Mourinho’s AS Roma side
in a thrilling encounter that lasted over three hours.
The game ended 1-1 after
extra time, with Roma taking the lead through Paulo Dybala, only for Sevilla to
equalise with an own goal from Mancini.
Just last year, Mourinho
made history as the first manager to win all three European club competitions
when he guided AS Roma to victory in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference
League.
This successful campaign
secured Roma’s qualification for the Europa League, setting the stage for
another impressive run to another final under Mourinho’s guidance.
Having never lost a
final, Mourinho’s Roma were slight favourites, and when they took the lead
before halftime through the Argentine playmaker, many believed the game was
effectively sealed.
Jose Mourinho threw his runners-up medal into the crowd after the Europa League final 😱 pic.twitter.com/uSOkqGhoV5
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 31, 2023
However, Sevilla mounted
a strong comeback, forcing an equaliser and pushing the match into extra time.
Despite both teams’ efforts, neither side could find the winning goal,
resulting in a tense and dramatic penalty shootout to determine the victor.
Sevilla showcased nerves of steel, converting their four spot-kicks with clinical precision, with Gonzalo Montiel, who scored Argentina’s winning penalty in Qatar, slotting home the winner.
MONTIEL SCORED THE GAME-WINNING PEN IN BOTH THE WORLD CUP FINAL AND THE EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL!
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 31, 2023
READY FOR THE BIG MOMENTS 🔥🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/71jYFsvPDD
This defeat marks Mourinho’s first-ever loss in a European Cup final, ending his remarkable streak and leaving him to ponder what could have been.
José Luis Mendilibar is the first manager to triumph against José Mourinho in a UEFA club tournament final.
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 31, 2023
The Only One™️#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/RcvcpQkyB6
Sevilla on the other hand have extended their astonishing record in Europa League finals, securing their seventh triumph in seven attempts. Their consistency and ability to thrive under pressure solidified their status as one of the most successful teams in the competition’s history.
No comments