Villarreal edge Man Utd in epic shootout to win Europa League
Villarreal defeated Manchester United 11-10 on penalties in Wednesday to get their first important trophy after a 1-1 attract the Europa League last as goalkeeper David de Gea overlooked the decisive spot-kick in a remarkable shootout.
Gerard Moreno gave Villarreal the lead 29 minutes into the Spanish club's first European final, but Edinson Cavani equalised early on in the second fifty percent before Unai Emery's staff prevailed on spot-kicks, extending United's four-time trophy drought.
"It's a disappointed dressing place. That's soccer for you personally. Sometimes it's chosen one kick -- and that's the difference between earning and losing," said United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
"We have to study from it, tastes this sense and make certain we do not get it again."
He added: "We didn't arrive. We didn't play along with we know we are able to."
Villarreal midfielder Francis Coquelin was delighted that the triumph also led to a location in up coming season's Champions League.
"It feels really good. To play against an excellent area like Manchester United, we recognized it would be troublesome," Coquelin advised BT Sport.
"We didn't have the ability to get to the Champions League through the group so to get it through the Europa League is something particular -- and an initial title for the golf club aswell -- something amazing."
Eric Bailly replaced the injured Harry Maguire on central defence, with the United captain surprisingly named among the substitutes despite suffering ankle ligament damage fourteen days ago.
De Gea started ahead of Dean Henderson in target, while Paul Pogba used a far more orthodox midfield purpose as Fred was sole deemed fit plenty of for an area on the bench.
An early on collision between Juan Foyth and Pogba kept the former Tottenham defender bloodied but both sides were slower to click into equipment over a damp and chilly evening on the Baltic coastline.
Carlos Bacca's clever rabona cross created a chance for Pau Torres, the centre-back associated with a summer proceed to United, while Marcus Rashford tested Geronimo Rulli with a good dipping effort from length.
Yeremy Pino, who at 18 years and 218 days broke Iker Casillas' record as the youngest Spanish player to start a significant European final, scuffed wide on the counter, but Villarreal were soon in advance.
Moreno's 82nd goal
Dani Parejo swung in a free-kick from the remaining and Moreno peeled from Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof, steering beyond De Gea mainly because the Swede desperately tugged in his shirt.
Moreno's 82nd aim for Villarreal equalled the golf club record of ex - Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi.
But it addittionally sparked a response from United, as a battling Scott McTominay watched his shot deflected over before Mason Greenwood burst in to the area and sent in a fizzing cross that Raul Albiol practically diverted into his own net.
Another Parejo set-piece caused panic on the United box immediately after half-period, Manu Trigueros crossing again towards goal before the ball was scrambled distinct with Moreno and Carlos Bacca lurking dangerously.
Slice of luck
Alfonso Pedraza was certainly fortunate no more action was taken when he appeared to catch Greenwood in the Villarreal area, although United benefitted from a slice of luck to level.
A headed clearance at a part dropped to Rashford, whose dragged volley ricocheted in to the way of Cavani to stab house with Rulli unable to recover after anticipating the initial shot.
It had been the Uruguayan's sixth aim of your competition this time of year, all coming in his past four suits, and one which handed United the momentum.
Bruno Fernandes drilled wide as Cavani tried in vain to readjust with the ball flashing by, and the striker then headed right at Torres from Shaw's miscued shot.
United continuing to dominate possession when Villarreal soaked up the pressure, but the Spaniards remained a threat when Torres curled over at the finish of normal time.
Alberto Moreno slashed wide as United started to tire, prompting Solskjaer to create his first modification after 100 moments as Fred replaced Greenwood.
Weariness and a good raft of substitutions slowed the tempo in the closing stages due to the rain intensified with penalties practically inevitable.
The first 21 penalties were successfully converted before De Gea had his attempt palmed away by Rulli as United misplaced for the sixth time in seven shootouts, handing Emery a record fourth Europa League crown.
