TheCable

Sevilla have defeated Manchester United 2-1 to advance into the Europa League final, thanks to goals from Suso and Luuk De Jong that cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ penalty at the Rhein Energie Stadium in Koln, Germany.

The win on Sunday night qualified Sevilla for a fourth Europa League final –and an overall sixth — in Europe’s second-tier competition.

United, on the other hand, have now lost three semi-final matches this season following elimination at the same stage in the League Cup and FA Cup.

It is also the first time in five European semi-final appearances that Man United have failed to progress to the final of a continental competition.

Sevilla, Europa League winners from 2014-2016 and currently on a 19-game unbeaten streak, rode their luck through excellent goalkeeping as Man United wasted a plethora of chances.

The Red Devils started the game on the front foot and duly took the lead on nine minutes through a penalty kick after Marcus Rashford was brought down by a Sevilla defender.

Fernandes buried the spot-kick for his 14th goal since arriving at United in January for a 1-0 lead.

Sevilla responded with an equalizer from Suso, a former Liverpool midfielder, in the 26th minute. The Brazilian timed his run to perfection to sweep in Sergio Reguilon’s low cross at the near post for 1-1.

United regained their composure and besieged their opponent to regain their lead, but the Spanish side were resolute and the game stayed 1-1 at the interval.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men did not relent after the break, but they were repelled by good saves from Yassine Bounou, Sevilla goalkeeper, who brilliantly denied Mason Greenwood, Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Sevilla eventually dealt a cruel blow on United in the 78th minute with the winning goal through Luuk De Jong.

The former Newcastle striker was left with the easy task of converting from close range at the back post after Victor Lindelof failed to deal with Jesus Navas’ cross.

Man United, who introduced Odion Ighalo, Nigerian striker, in the 93rd minute, mounted a feeble attempt at an equalizer that allowed Sevilla to see out the match rather comfortably.

Sevilla await their opponent to be determined in tomorrow’s second semi-final match between Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Europa League final will take place on Friday.