John Walton / EMPICS Sport John Walton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport

So, we should get to the teams, shouldn’t we?

Sevilla: Beto, Fazio, Carrico, Moreno, Pareja, Coke, Mbia, Rakitic, Vitolo, Bacca, Reyes. Subs: Varas, Navarro, Figueiras, Marin, Iborra, Trochowski, Gameiro.

Benfica could claim a quadruple tonight. They’ve racked up a first league title in four years and they’re back in a Europa League final desperately hoping to banish those bitter memories of last year’s decider when they were undone by a Branislav Ivanovic header in the last minute of added time. Painful.

Well, even with a win tonight, Benfica will still have to wait until Saturday (and the Taca de Portugal) to claim a fourth trophy so, still plenty of work ahead.

But, victory this evening will give them a huge push towards an incredible achievement.

For Sevilla, they should feel a little tired at this stage. They started out in in the third qualifying round of this competition way back on 1st August. They’ve racked up 18 games so far.

Los Rojiblancos, who are currently fifth in La Liga, have already beaten Portuguese opposition as they knocked out Porto at the quarter-final stage by an aggregate score of 4-2.

The Spaniards do have a strong history in this competition as they won the UEFA Cup twice on the bounce in 2006 and 2007 (defeating Middlesbrough and Espanyol).

Pre-game analysis update:

On 3e, Owen Coyle has just said “I hope this is a feisty affair”. #Insight

KICK-OFF: And we’re under way!

A couple of early fouls – Owen Coyle will be pleased.

Some early pressure from Benfica…

Sevilla keeper Beto has already had to scramble a through ball out for a throw.

Also, in case anyone is interested, Jorge Jesus is going for the dark suit, white shirt, dark tie look.

CLOSE! Sevilla are almost in for the opener as Rakitic plays it through for Bacca who looks to take it around Oblak. He trips, looks back at the referee and…he’s been flagged for offside. Rakitic with a nice cameo early on, though.

BOOKED! In quick succession, two Sevilla players go in the book. Fazio is cautioned after a challenge on Miralem Sulejmani while Moreno also gets a yellow for a late, desperate tackle on…you’ve guessed it – that man Sulejmani again.

John Walton / EMPICS Sport John Walton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport

Great atmosphere inside the Juventus Stadium this evening. But, hands up – how many still deeply miss the Stadio delle Alpi?

https: / /twitter.com/arbitromirko https: / /twitter.com/arbitromirko / /twitter.com/arbitromirko

Fergie is in attendance. I’m sure Antonio Conte is asking him ‘Why did you allow Paul Pogba join us again? I know he’s no Tom Cleverley but still…’

SUBSTITUTION: André Almeida (in) – Sulejmani (out)

A big blow for Benfica. Just 25 minutes gone and Sulejmani is forced off with what looks like a shoulder injury. Maybe collar-bone. He’d caused Sevilla problems and it was his industry that ensured two Sevilla players picked up yellow cards. André Almeida is introduced.

BOOKED! Owen Coyle wanted a feisty encounter and we’re getting one. Another yellow card – this time for Benfica’s Siqueira who fouls Jose Antonio Reyes.

PRESSURE! A bright attack from Sevilla down the right side. Reyes feeds Moreno who cuts back onto his left and tries to curl it to the far corner. It’s too close to Oblak though who makes a comfortable save.

SCRAMBLE! More positivity from the Spaniards and a half-hearted shout for a penalty when there’s some pinball in the penalty area. They’ve been much the better side in the last ten minutes. Benfica have struggled since Sulejmani was forced off and need to get to half-time, get to the dressing room and re-think some things.

VERY CLOSE! Best chances of the game, without doubt. Benfica with two great opportunities to take the lead, just before the break.

Firstly, Maxi Perreira suddenly pops up in the six-yard area, onside. The shock of not being flagged affects his composure and from close-range, he hits a weak effort right at Beto who palms it away.

They keep the attack going though and Rodrigo picks it up on the right of the area. His shot to the near post is beaten away by Beto again.

VERY CLOSE! Just when you thought Sevilla had survived until the interval, Benfica run through on goal again and really should have a penalty and be a man-up.

Nicolas Gaitan is brought down in the area and it seems a stonewall spot-kick. But Brych waves it away and Sevilla breathe a HUGE sigh of relief.

Having seen a replay of that penalty incident, I think it should have been given. It’s Fazio, who’s on a yellow. He’s caught wrong-side of Gaitan and is desperately trying to get a touch on the ball. But, he’s clumsy and, any contact with the ball is minimal and follows through with his left foot. It’s a clear goalscoring opportunity and Fazio is a lucky boy.

HALF-TIME! And we’re still scoreless. The game really only coming to life inside the last few minutes when Benfica really should’ve taken the lead.

Sevilla had been comfortable for the majority of the period but those chances will give the Portuguese side plenty of motivation for the second half.

Andrew Medichini / AP/Press Association Images Andrew Medichini / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

This man is the most likely to conjure something for Sevilla tonight. Ivan Rakitic is always capable of a bit of magic and has cropped up with a few nice touches in the first half.

Half-time analysis update:

Brian Kerr attempts to pronounce a number of Benfica players’ names. He makes a pretty decent stab at it. Credit where it’s due.

SECOND-HALF! And we’re off again. Unai Emery blessed himself as he made his way to the dugout. A bit early for that, no? At least wait until the inevitable penalties.

VERY CLOSE! Another incredible sequence from Benfica here. How they’re not in front is beyond me. They break brilliantly down the right and clips a great ball to the far stick for Lima but Nicolas Pareja gets back to scramble the ball off the line. Cue a massive scramble with a litany of Benfica shots but Sevilla stand firm and block everything. Heroic defending.

VERY CLOSE! This is more like it! It’s Sevilla’s turn to attack and Rakitic slips through a finely-weighted (and timed) pass to Reyes who can only stab it wide of the far post. Really, really good opportunity that. Luisao was back and closed him down but should’ve tucked it away…

PENALTY CLAIM! If Benfica don’t win tonight, it’s inevitable Jorge Jesus will bring up some eh, interesting, refereeing decisions from Felix Brych. He’s just waved away another decent shout for a Benfica penalty.

Lima was again involved – his pace and movement seems to be causing the Sevilla defence problems here. Alberto Moreno gets his pocket picked in the area, Lima nips in and there’s definitely contact. Moreno, and Sevilla, are fortunate.

VERY CLOSE! Rakitic has been excellent and he’s instrumental in carving out a great chance for Sevilla. He plays a terrific pass wide – the cross expertly picks out Reyes but he shoots straight at Oblak. Lovely, lovely move.

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This image perfectly captures the game right now. We’re agonisingly close to a goal.

Jorge Jesus is losing it on the touchline. And it’s very entertaining.

Benfica have lost their last seven major European finals. They’ve bossed proceedings tonight, creating numerous chances. But, with 20 minutes left, we’re still scoreless. This is where the anxiety starts for the Portuguese side and their manager is clearly very worried.

Nicolas Pareja has been outstanding for Sevilla tonight. So many critical challenges at crucial times.

Seems to be a lack of cutting edge up-top for Sevilla. Vitolo does really well to skip away, up the left side, all the way to the area but can’t cut a decent ball back and Benfica clear.

SUBSTITUTION! Marin (in) – Reyes (out)

Reyes has been involved, flitting in and out. But fresh legs here and Marko Marin, on loan at Sevilla from Chelsea, remember, replaces him.

It’s great to watch but, dear me, it’s taking the form of a 5-a-side now. Two passes and either side look to be able to cut the other open from anywhere. Both teams are going for it although Sevilla seem a lot more disciplined in keeping their shape. They’ve managed to cause Benfica a few problems on the counter and are defending incredibly well.

VERY CLOSE! Lima has looked good throughout this second-half. He picks it up wide-left, jinks inside and thumps a dipping effort towards goal. Beto does really well to tip it over. Very central but it was travelling.

CLOSE! Garay climbs highest at the far post but can’t keep his header down and it drifts onto the roof of the net. Rodrigo whipped in a brilliant cross that Beto lost in the air. Big let-off for the Spaniards.

Luca Bruno / AP/Press Association Images Luca Bruno / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

He looks worried, doesn’t he?

INJURY TIME! Extra time beckons…

CLOSE! Garay with an acrobatic volley in the area – sure to have been one the best goals ever scored in a Europa League final…but he couldn’t control it and balloons the strike over the bar.

FULL-TIME! 0-0 So, after ninety minutes, we’re still scoreless and an extra thirty-minute period will get underway shortly. The second half was an absorbing affair but I doubt both teams will be as open over the next half hour.

EXTRA TIME: And we’re under way (again)…Half an hour of torture OR more incredibly-open craziness? Let’s see.

BOOKING! A third yellow of the night for Sevilla as Koke’s name goes in the book.

BOOKING! Benfica’s André Almeida picks up a yellow now and everyone needs to relax just a little.

CLOSE! Lima drives a fierce free-kick right through the wall and Beto deals with it – well, kind of. It bounces off him and his defenders clear.

VERY CLOSE! Oh, my. What. A. Chance. That man Rakitic plays another wonderful pass through for Carlos Bacca who races clear down the right channel. As he nears goal, he tries to bend it to the far corner with the outside of his right boot but it floats just wide of the far post. Inches away from Sevilla going in front.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Óscar Cardozo (in) – Siqueira (out)

Benfica with an intriguing change. Cardozo has scored 33 goals in 75 Europa League appearances.

Gameiro (in) – Marin (out)

Meanwhile, Sevilla bring in Gameiro – who has been out injured. He’s already scored five goals in the tournament.

SECOND PERIOD! A quick turnaround and we resume. Penalties looming very large on the horizon now. Both teams have introduced their big-hitting attackers – Cardozo for Benfica and Gameiro for Sevilla. Can either grab a winner?

Antonio Calanni / AP/Press Association Images Antonio Calanni / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

I wrote a piece yesterday on fashion-conscious football managers. In hindsight, I really should’ve included Unai Emery on the list. Those elbow patches are hipster chic.

SUBSTITUTION: Figueiras (in) – Vitolo (out)

Sevilla make their final change and replace Vitolo, who’s exerted a lot of energy down the left side.

SUBSTITUTION: Ivan Cavaleiro (in) – Gaitán (out)

Benfica make their final switch and one of their most high-profile names, Gaitan has been replaced.

Meanwhile, over on ITV, Andy Townsend is as wrecked as the rest of us.

PENALTIES! And that’s that. Both sets of players look absolutely shattered. Not holding out much hope for this shoot-out.

Sunderland v Manchester United in this season’s Capital One Cup clash springs to mind…

FIRST PEN: Lima (Benfica)

SCORES! 

1-0 Benfica

1-1  -BACCA (Sevilla) SCORES

1-1 – CARDOZO (Benfica) MISSES

2-1 M’BIA (Sevilla) SCORES

2-1 – RODRIGO (Benfica) MISSES

3-1 – KOKE (Sevilla) SCORES

3-2 – LUISAO (Benfica) SCORES

4-2 – GAMEIRO (Sevilla) SCORES

SEVILLA ARE THE 2014 EUROPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS! 

Well, what drama.

For the third time in nine seasons, Sevilla win this competition.

For Benfica, their heartbreak continues.

They’ve now suffered eight final defeats since winning the European Cup in 1962.

In the end, Cardozo and Rodrigo saw their penalties saved by Beto, who’ll go down as the hero tonight. Two poor strikes – Cardozo, in particular, doing himself no favours by stuttering in his run-up and giving the keeper a chance to guess where he was going to put his effort. Both kicks were kept low so Beto showed good agility to get down and make the decisive blocks.

For Sevilla, it was a brilliant array of penalty-taking. Kevin Gameiro’s final kick almost took the net off.

They defended resolutely throughout but you can’t help but feel a little sorry for Benfica.

Thanks for joining in tonight. I’m off to re-watch those penalties and properly digest them.