Romelu Lukaku emulated one of the best strikers in history yet endured one of the worst nights of his career as Sevilla edged out Inter Milan in a classic Europa League Final. Lukaku, who joined Inter from Manchester United for £74million last summer, scored a fourth-minute penalty to match the 34 goals Brazilian great Ronaldo scored in his first campaign with the club 22 years ago.
Yet the game will be remembered for the moment Lukaku unintentionally deflected Diego Carlos’ overhead-kick into his own net 16 minutes from full-time, to give Sevilla the decisive goal. Inter were convinced Carlos should have been sent off when he fouled Lukaku for the spot-kick. Earlier, former Newcastle loanee Luuk De Jong scored two headers to cancel out Lukaku’s spot-kick, only for Diego Godin to draw Inter level again at the end of a breathless first half.
But Lukaku’s own-goal means former Inter’s Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is still waiting for his first major European trophy, as Sevilla – who beat Wolves and Manchester United to get here – took this competition for a record sixth time since 2006, despite overhauling their squad last summer. Inter’s band of former Premier League players have been denied. ‘We are more like a family than a team,’ said De Jong as he watched his colleagues dancing with delight.
Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui is a pariah for many in Spain after he was ousted two days before their 2018 World Cup campaign because he had signed for Real Madrid. Here he shed tears of joy along with playmaker Ever Banega, who now leaves for Saudi club Al-Shabab after clinching his third Europa League title. ‘Our team never surrender, never,’ said Lopetegui. At the end of this exhausting season, it would have been understandable for both sides to ease their way into the match. Not a bit of it.
In the third minute, Lukaku surged past Carlos, who dragged him down with a challenge right out of the Six Nations. Inter were enraged that the defender – who has now conceded spot-kicks in three consecutive matches – saw only yellow, though were consoled when Lukaku beat Bono from the spot to match Ronaldo’s record. Just as they had against United, Sevilla soon equalised. Jesus Navas crossed for De Jong whose diving header Handanovic could only palm into the net.
Sevilla’s midfield genius Banega created their second. His precise free-kick picked out De Jong at the far post, and the Dutchman guided a magnificent header into the top corner. Just like Inter, Sevilla could not keep their lead. Once again, Carlos’ foul on Lukaku was costly. Marcelo Brozovic’s free-kick picked out Godin, who nodded past Bono.
Lukaku’s pace always kept Sevilla honest. After another clever ball from Nicolo Barella, the Belgian charged clear only for Bono to make a vital stop with his feet. It proved even more important in the 74th minute. Banega delivered again from the right and when Inter could not clear, Carlos’ overhead kick looked to be going wide, until Lukaku stuck out a foot and steered it his into own net.
Mailonline
