Sevilla will compete for the 2020 Europa League title after eliminating Manchester United, 2-1, in the semi-finals. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were hoping it would be third time lucky in a semi-final after being knocked out in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last four earlier this season, but a lack of cutting edge and defensive errors cost them once again.
Both teams provided an up-tempo first half, playing open and getting opportunities on goal in the final third. It was nearly a nightmare start for Sevilla as they conceded an early penalty in the 9th minute with United’s Bruno Fernandes converting.
Going behind seemed to spark Sevilla into life after a nervous start and the Spanish side would respond in the 26th minute with an equalizer from Suso during an entertaining first half.
United had a string of chances after the break to re-take the lead with Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, Fernandes and Rashford all going close but paid for these misses when Luuk de Jong (78) tapped home late on after some poor defending from Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The goal prompted an angry confrontation between Lindelof and Fernandes as United crashed out of another semi-final while Sevilla have reach their sixth Europa League final – two more than any other side in the competition’s history.
United have not won a trophy since 2017 and must now wait until 2021 for their next chance of silverware after surrendering a lead to lose in Cologne.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was disappointed with the result after his side was left to rue a string of missed chances;
“The result is very disappointing. We’re not devastated, but it’s one of those hard ones to take because you feel you played some fantastic stuff at times, created chances and just couldn’t get the goals that were, I felt, deserved at times. In different spells of the game, I thought we were absolutely excellent.
“We were on top for long spells, both first and second half, especially at the start of both halves. We created chances and should have scored, but I can’t fault the boys. But we seem to let off at times because when we were on top, that’s the time to keep squeezing.”
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui was delighted to guide his side to yet another Europa league final;
“We suffered for some moments of the game against Manchester United, especially at the start of the second half. They had a couple of clear chances to score but Bono keeps us alive in the match, then we show our heart. We knew it could be possible.
“We continued running a lot and I think at the end of the second half we were better and we scored the second goal. We are very happy to be in the final and I am very happy for the players as they deserve to be in the final.”
Sevilla will play either Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League final on Friday.
