Here are the defining moments from a game in which Sevilla made history by winning a third consecutive Europa League title, as picked by Ger McCarthy.
11 mins: Early Liverpool pressure
Emre Can tries his luck from 25 yards only for David Soria to push the midfielder’s effort away to safety. Next, Nathaniel Clyne gets to the by-line and crosses towards the far post but Daniel Carrico acrobatically clears Daniel Sturridge’s downward header.
Daniel Carriço with a brilliant acrobatic clearance off the line. pic.twitter.com/CuZh9eqtxJ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 18, 2016
12 mins: Penalty claims turned down
Roberto Firmino advances into the Sevilla penalty box and the Brazilian’s clever touch appears to be flicked away by Daniel Carrico’s outstretched arm. Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson ignores Liverpool appeals for a spot-kick.
30 mins: Chances at either end
Another Liverpool opportunity fails to deliver when Adam Lallana slips the ball into Daniel Sturridge’s path and the English international is denied by David Soria’s quick reactions. Kevin Gameiro’s acrobatic overhead kick shaves an upright at the opposite end five minutes later.
35 mins: Sturridge strikes
Liverpool are rewarded for their positive start with a glorious opening goal. Coutinho and Firmino combine down the right, finding Sturridge on the corner of the Sevilla penalty area. Liverpool’s striker strokes a majestic shot with the outside of his left foot beyond David Soria and inside the upright for a 1-0 lead.
40 mins: Another stonewall penalty denied
Sevilla avoid another penalty claim when Grzegorz Krychowiak leans down and uses his hand to halt Daniel Sturridge’s through-ball inside the 18-yard box. Incredibly, none of the match officials see the incident much to Jurgen Klopp and his players chagrin.
46 mins: Sevilla equalise
📷 | 1-3 | Gameiro has taken his tally in the @EuropaLeague this season to 8 goals!#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/INng9N9eKd
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) May 18, 2016
Sevilla capitalise on ragged Liverpool defending by drawing level a minute after the restart. Alberto Moreno’s attempted clearance lands at the feet of Mariano Ferreira who races unchallenged into the penalty area and crosses for Kevin Gameiro to tap home.
60 mins: Spaniards hit the front
Simon Mignolet’s reflexes prevent Kevin Gamerio’s close-range effort from hitting the net but Sevilla keep pressing and Coke thunders in a superb 20-yard shot after excellent approach work from Ever Banega and Vitolo.
70 mins: 2-1 becomes 3-1
Another Liverpool defensive error is punished when Clyne’s wayward clearance rebounds off Philippe Coutinho and falls to the feet of an unmarked Coke. The Sevilla captain makes no mistake despite loud Liverpool protests for offside.
90 mins: Sevilla make it three-in-a-row
Jurgen Klopp empties his substitute’s bench in an attempt to overturn a two-goal deficit but Sevilla comfortably see out the remaining minutes to win a third consecutive Europa League trophy.
