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sport">For record holder Sevilla it is the sixth triumph in this European tournament. Inter remained on three titles. It was clear in advance that three years after Daley Blind and Timothy Fosu-Mensah (in 2017 with Manchester United at the expense of Ajax), a Dutchman would again crown himself the winner of the Europa League on Friday evening. Referee Danny Makkelie was chosen by UEFA to manage the clash between De Jong and De Vrij, so that the final evening in Cologne was still quite orange.
Passion in the opening phase
sport">And Makkelie got absolutely no chance from the passionate Italians and Spaniards to quietly whistle in the game. Already in the second minute, the Sevilla players complained about the flapping arm of Danilo d’Ambrosio, but the Dutch referee did not want to know anything about an elbow. A minute and a half later, Makkelie put the ball on the spot for Inter, after Romelu Lukaku had sprinted away from Diego Carlos and was put down.
Luuk de Jong cries out after his 2-1 in the final of the Europa League.
Ⓒ EPA
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sport">Yellow and a penalty, Makkelie judged. Lukaku shot the ball in flawlessly and the final was immediately loose. De Jong had received a basic place from his trainer Julen Lopetegui after his winning goal in the semi-final against Manchester United and the former PSV player made that election double and cross true. Seven minutes after Lukaku’s 1-0, De Jong wrestled himself from Diego Godin’s guard and headed in a hard cross from Jesus Navas: 1-1.
Makkelie chides Conte
sport">Another five minutes later, everything Inter was calling for another penalty kick, when Carlos again got the ball against his arm. Makkelie, however, thought that the Sevilla defender had his arm along the body and let play continue. To the anger of Inter trainer Antonio Conte, who was penalized with yellow by Makkelie because of his clamor.
A picture of a goal, the 2-1 from De Jong who comes out above everything and everyone and heads the ball in the far corner.
Ⓒ EPA
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sport">De Jong didn’t take any notice of all the commotion and after half an hour of play, he was well free at the far post during a free kick by Ever Banega. With a beautiful header in the far corner, the Dutch striker scored his second goal of the evening and put Sevilla ahead for the first time.
Goddess takes revenge
sport">However, the Spaniards could not enjoy that luxury for long, because less than two minutes later it was already right again. Godin, who did not look good at De Jong’s 1-1, headed in the 2-2 from a free kick by Marcelo Brozovic. Ten minutes later, everyone involved in the stadium and all the followers in front of the television could take a breath, when Makkelie whistled for half time.
sport">The high pace that both teams had put on the mat before half-time could no longer be brought in the second half. As time ticked away, the game became more and more a tactical game, in which Inter got the greatest chance through Lukaku. The Belgian was given free passage towards goalkeeper Bono, but missed.
Lukaku the schlemiel
sport">And to make matters worse for Lukaku, the Inter striker also became the match winner … on behalf of Sevilla! After a free kick for the Spaniards, defender Carlos flipped the ball towards the Inter goal, and Lukaku tapped the ball that seemed to go in front behind his own goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. With Christian Eriksen, Victor Moses and Alexis Sanchez, the Italians went on the hunt for 3-3, but to no avail.
Romelu Lukaku (left) is the schlemiel with his (winning) own goal in the Europa League final.
Ⓒ Reuters
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sport">Sanchez was closest with a roller from close range, but Jules Kounde removed the ball from the goal mouth. From the reserve bench, De Jong, who had been substituted five minutes before the end, saw how his teammates held up. After the final whistle from Makkelie, De Jong sprinted into the field, where he was jumped by his teammates. A beautiful end to the first season of the Dutch striker at Sevilla, who afterwards was also elected by UEFA as the icing on the cake. man of the match.
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