- A thrilling Europa League final awaits the Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen, as they look to remain unbeaten this season in every single competition versus Atalanta.
- We’ve chosen to relive some of the greatest moments from the Europa League final matches ahead of this key game.
A thrilling Europa League final awaits the Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen, as they look to remain unbeaten this season in every single competition versus Atalanta.
We’ve chosen to relive some of the greatest moments from the Europa League final matches ahead of this key game.
Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal – 2019
Eden Hazard brace saw Chelsea win the Europa League. Photo/ Chelsea FC
Eden Hazard, who scored a stunning brace before concluding a move to Real Madrid for a deal increasing to £150 million, saw Chelsea’s Europa League victory against London rivals Arsenal at Baku’s eerily deserted Olympic Stadium as a turning point in his career.
The now-retired Belgian was badly let go in the capital of Spain, but he helped Stamford Bridge achieve even more trophy-laden triumph on his farewell match, which saw goals from Pedro and Olivier Giroud in the second half.
After a dull start to the match, Alex Iwobi delivered one of the most incredible consolation goals you will ever see, curling a fantastic long-range shot past Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal to support what turned out to be a very interesting final.
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Fulham – 2010
Atletico Madrid vs Fulham. Photo/ Cottagers Confidential
Atletico have long been overshadowed by Real Madrid, their local rivals, and the 2010 final offered them a chance to win their first European championship since the 1962 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
After 32 minutes, former Manchester United forward Diego Forlan shot past Mark Schwarzer to give Atletico Madrid, who included players like David de Gea and Sergio Aguero, the lead in a close match.
Five minutes later, Simon Davies’ header from Zoltan Gera’s cross tied the score, demonstrating the tenacity that marked Fulham’s journey to the final. Additionally, both teams hit the woodwork, but neither was able to break the draw, therefore extra time was played.
Atletico controlled the extra time, but as the clock ran down, it appeared that penalties would decide the winner. But with only four minutes left, Forlan struck his second goal—this time from Aguero’s cross—to break Fulham‘s hearts and secure the Cup for the Spanish team.
Benfica 1-2 Chelsea – 2013
Chelsea players celebrate against Benfica. Photo/ Sky Sports
Chelsea’s path to the final was less complicated since it featured victories over teams like Basel and Rubin Kazan, while Benfica’s included a victory over Newcastle in the quarterfinals.
In this European final, Nemanja Matic, David Luiz, and Ramires played their previous team, but Eden Hazard of Chelsea and John Terry were sidelined due to injuries.
Fernando Torres opened the score in this wild match around the hour mark, and Oscar Cardozo leveled the score ten minutes later with a penalty. In the most dramatic of circumstances, Branislav Ivanovic enhanced Chelsea’s European heritage in the last minute of stoppage time by meeting Juan Mata’s cross.
A year after winning the Champions League, Chelsea emerged victorious in the Europa League, thanks to a spectacular save from Petr Cech and a near-perfect effort from Frank Lampard that found the crossbar.
With this final win Chelsea became the fourth club overall and the first English team to win all three UEFA club tournaments.
Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla – 2016
Sevilla was in its third consecutive final, having won the previous two in 2014 and 2015.
Daniel Sturridge’s incredible goal gave Klopp’s team the lead at the break. They had the stronger start. The England attacker put the Merseyside club ahead with a spectacular shot on the outside of his left boot after Philippe Coutinho found him.
But the Reds’ start to the second half could hardly have been worse, as Kevin Gameiro equalized only 17 seconds after the break. The goal’s primary cause was Liverpool defenders Alberto Moreno, a former Sevilla player.
Sevilla took control early on, and midfielder Coke curled home following a deft passing play to put them ahead. The Spanish side persisted in pressing, and soon afterward Moreno made another mistake. The Sevilla team won the Europa League for the third time in a row when the Spaniard scored his second goal at the far post while leaving Coke entirely unmarked.
Following his League Cup loss to Manchester City on penalties, this was Klopp’s second final collapse in his first season at Anfield.
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