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๐ธ The dream is a reality once again... โจ
โ Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) August 21, 2020
Good night, Sevillistas! ๐#WeareSevilla #UELFinal #WeAreAllOfYou pic.twitter.com/LNW17NzJPz
Sevilla are once again Europa League champions. The Spanish club defeated Inter Milan, 3-2, in Friday's final to wrap up one of the most unprecedented versions of the competition in history. The title marks the sixth time Sevilla have won this title since 2006.
The story of the match focused on Diego Carlos going from zero to hero over the course of 90 minutes. The moments where he was a zero was rugby tackling Romelu Lukaku to give up a penalty in his third consecutive match -- which the Belgian converted -- and failing to properly mark Diego Godin, who scored Inter's second goal.ย
Sure, it helped that his teammates were there to equalize each time -- the surprise switch of Luuk de Jong into the starting lineup proved to be fruitful with a double on his end -- but Diego Carlos was the difference maker in the 74th minute when an overhead effort in the box was deflected into the back of the net.
The heartbreak is not just on Inter as a club, but it surely lands on the shoulders two men in particular: Lukaku, who went from the man who broke the nil-nil deadlock to the man who deflected in the winner for his opponent, and Antonio Conte, a manager for whom a European trophy continues to remain elusive.
Top plays
Diego Carlos from villain to hero
As mentioned before, Diego Carlos had a hand in allowing the two goals that Inter had scored in the first 73 minutes of the match. But in the 74th minute, he was able to redeem himself with an acrobatic overhead effort which, with the help of a Lukaku deflection, went into the back of the net and turned out to be the winner.
An unbelievable way to go ahead!
โ Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 21, 2020
A bicycle kick. A Lukaku redirection. ๐ฑ pic.twitter.com/9qTryZicC6
De Jong's mastery in the air
Luuk de Jong was another Sevilla player with a redemption arc that happened in this game, though his began much longer ago, and his latest additions were just more redemption. After going 11 games without scoring, he went ahead and scored three goals over the course of the semifinal against Manchester United and Friday's final. His third goal, a header from a very difficult angle, was the most impressive of the three and should be celebrated as such.
Double Dutch!
โ Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 21, 2020
The magic head of Luuk de Jong keeps delivering for Sevilla. pic.twitter.com/xcKLuyjGGg
Lukaku ties club greatness
Though he ultimately became the cause of his team's downfall, Lukaku was still the first man on the pitch who got on the score sheet. He extended his scoring streak in Europa League to 11 games, expanding on the record he holds, and also tied the great Ronaldo for most goals in a single season across all competitions in club history with 34.
What a start!
โ Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 21, 2020
Lukaku steps up and drills the penalty, putting Inter up 1-0! pic.twitter.com/7XCFiZOc3s
Notable performances
Let's rate some of the notable performances on the day, with one being the worst and 10 being perfection:
Luuk de Jong, Sevilla
Fantastic header goal to pull level and an even better one to take the lead at 2-1. Earned his spot after the goal against Manchester United, and he delivered.ย RATING: 9
Ever Banega, Sevilla
Sensational on set pieces. Every single time he took one, you just felt it was dangerous. Really a fantastic performance in his swan song.ย RATING: 8
Lautaro Martinez, Inter
Hardly involved at all. Taken off in the second half. There wasn't any point of the game where you felt he was going to score.ย RATING: 4
A look ahead
The 2019-20 season of Europa League is over. The first qualifying round of next year's competition begins on Aug 27, and the UEFA Super Cup featuring Europa League winner Sevilla and the eventual Champions League winner comes our way on Thursday, Sept. 24.
You can stream the Champions League final onย CBS All Access. Sign up now and enjoyย one month of CBS All Access for freeย ahead of the opening match. If you're a CBS All Access subscriber looking for a match that'sย live right now,ย go directly to the UEFA Champions League page. Every match will be available on demand shortly after the final whistle. We will be with you the entire way providing updates, analysis and highlights below.
CBS was with you the entire way providing updates, analysis and highlights below.
Inter Milan 2, Sevilla 3 (FINAL)
โฝInter Milan: Lukaku (5' P)
โฝSevilla: de Jong (12')
โฝSevilla: de Jong (33')
โฝInter Milan: Godin (35')
โฝSevilla: Diego Carlos (74')
