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Sevilla became only the second club in the history of the competiton to retain the Uefa Cup when they beat Espanyol 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out after the sides had battled to a 2-2 draw in Glasgow.
Goalkeeper Andres Palop was Sevilla’s hero as he saved three times in the shoot-out to seal an epic win in what had been an enthralling encounter at Hampden Park.
Adriano opened the scoring for the holders with a lovely finish following a swift Sevilla break started by Palop’s throw-out, but Alberto Riera levelled with a deflected shot to leave the scores level at the interval.
During the break, Ramos removed Maresca and introduced young winger Jesus Navas as Sevilla looked to take the game to their Liga rivals.
Sevilla top-scorer Fredi Kanoute had been a peripheral figure in the opening period and early in the second he could only produce a weak volley after Alves chipped the ball across goal.
Tamudo came close at the other end but striker’s effort was comfortably saved by Palop. The Sevilla keeper had to be at his best shortly afterwards to tip a stunning half-volley from Riera just onto the top of the bar.
Espanyol’ chances were dealt a blow on 68 minutes though, as Moises picked up a second yellow card for a foul on substitute Alexander Kerzhakov, and coach Ernesto Valverde responded by bringing on Jesus Maria Lacruz for skipper Tamudo.
Sevilla were also forced into a change when Adriano who had been struggling for fitness before the game, was replaced by fellow Brazilian Renato. The substitute found Kerzhakov with a first-time lay-off just seven yards out, but the Russian skied his shot over the bar as the game headed into extra-time.
Sevilla looked to have secured the trophy midway through extra-time when Navas supplied Kanoute and the former Tottenham striker found the net with a first time finish.
Puerta had a chance to put the game beyond Espanyol when received the ball in acres of space on the left hand side of the box. However, the defender dithered and Iraizoz saved.
The miss was to prove costly, as with time running out, substitute Jonatas who struck an equaliser from 20 yards out to take the game to penalties.
Espanyol’s efforts from 12 yards were poor. Palop saved from Luis Garcia, Jonatas and Marc Torrejon and keep Sevilla on course for a treble.
And Palop’s heroics mean Sevilla became the second team to retain the Uefa Cup after Real Madrid in 1986 following their success over Middlesbrough 12 months ago.
Teams:
Espanyol:
Iraizoz, David Garcia, Moises, Torrejon, Jarque, De la Pena (Jonatas 87), Zabaleta, Luis Garcia, Riera,Rufete (Pandiani 56), Tamudo (Lacruz 72).
Subs Not Used: Kameni, Costa, Coro, Chica.
Sevilla:
Palop, Javi Navarro, Daniel, Dragutinovic, Adriano Correia (Renato 76), Poulsen, Puerta, Marti, Maresca (Jesus Navas 46), Kanoute, Luis Fabiano (Kerzhakov 64).
Subs Not Used: Cobeno, David, Chevanton, Aitor Ocio.
Scorers:
Espanyol: Riera 28, Jonatas 115.
Sevilla: Adriano Correia 18, Kanoute 105.
Sent Off: Moises (68).
Sevilla win 3-1 on penalties
Attendance: 50,670
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).
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