Picture Credit: EuropaLeague/Twitter
La Liga club Villarreal defeated Manchester United in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to clinch their maiden Europa League trophy. Spain forward Gerard Moreno gave Villareal a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute, dominating the first half of the final. It was in the 55th minute that Cavani scored an equalizer for the Red Devils, taking the tally to 1-1. Following the 1-1 draw at the end of extra time, the match was taken to the penalty shootouts.
De Gea's miss gave Villarreal Europa win
Spaniard Gerard Moreno opened the campaign for Villarreal in the penalties too and converted his shoot. Man Utd’s Juan Mata scored for the Red Devils to equalize the penalty. Following this, the first 21 penalties were converted for both sides. Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli scored the decisive spot-kick for Villarreal in the dramatic 22-penalty kick lottery in the Europa League final. However, Red Devil’s goalkeeper David de Gea’s last spot-kick miss sealed the deal for Villarreal.
Watch the penalty shootouts here:
Sometimes it’s decided by one kick. That’s football for you: Ole
Ole Gunner Solskjaer expressed his disappointment after the defeat. "It's a disappointed dressing room. That's football for you. Sometimes it's decided on one kick— and that's the difference between winning and losing," said the United manager. He further added that they need to taste this defeat, learn from it and make sure that it never happens again in the future.