Europa League: Ighalo Tamed As Man United Fail To Overcome Sevilla Challenge

Sevilla, the most decorated club in Europa League/UEFA Cup history with a record five titles, advanced to the final of the 2020 Europa League following the 2-1 defeat of Manchester United on Sunday evening.

A come-from-behind win sees the La Liga side progress at the expense of a Red Devils side that was the bookmaker’s favourite on the night. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo on the bench, electing to prosecute the game with a front three of Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford.

The latter two played crucial roles in helping the Red Devils take the lead after just nine minutes.

Carlos lunged in on Rashford after the English striker received a delightful reverse pass from Martial in the box, allowing Fernandes to open the scoring from the spot.

However, Sevilla responded well, showed their quality on the ball, and crafted an equaliser, with Suso converting from Reguilon’s cross at the back post. One-all it was at the break with all to play for after the interval.

United started the second half the better of the two sides, creating chances for fun, but Sevilla’s goalkeeper Bounou kept the Spanish team in the game with saves from Greenwood, Pogba, and Martial at different times.

United then escaped a penalty call thanks to VAR when the ball struck Fernandez on the elbow in the area.

There was to be no escaping the inevitable, though, as Sevilla took the lead for the first time on the night moments later.

United switched off momentarily at the back, allowing Jesus Navas to cross from the right, with Lindelof and Wan-Bissaka both failing to mark De Jong, and the substitute prodded in from close-range. 

Solskjaer threw in Ighalo in the closing stages to help salvage the game, but the Nigerian forward could not add to his two goals in the tournament as Sevilla’s defence was equal to all the Premier League side launched at them.

United end a long and tortuous campaign trophyless while the La Liga side progress to the Europa League final with the aim of claiming their sixth title.