Paris: Benfica and Sevilla reached the Europa League final on Thursday, further cementing an Iberian grip on the sport on the continent. In a week which had already seen Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid set-up a Champions League title showdown, Europe’s second-tier tournament followed a similar script.
Benfica, runners-up to Chelsea in last year’s final, weathered a Juventus onslaught in Turin to hold out for a 0-0 draw and a 2-1 semi-final aggregate win.
Cameroon international Stephane Mbia headed home in the fifth minute of stoppage time to take Sevilla into the final on away goals 3-3 despite losing the second-leg of the semi-final 1-3 on the night away to Valencia.
It was a triumph for Sevilla coach Unai Emery, who never completely won over the Valencia fans when he was in charge there from 2008 to 2012, and he celebrated Mbia’s goal wildly on the side of the pitch.
