'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABv/aAAgBAQAAAABAg//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAb/2gAIAQIQAAAAO//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT/2gAIAQMQAAAAZ//EACAQAAEDBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQBAgMFBhEiAAchMUL/2gAIAQEAAT8AA7CrtZNbSwzImmxiuzLExUXXTO3jK4zwa4qkYNETJaNsmPmYkjiZGIjplX7XX2vP/8QAGREAAwADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDABIx/9oACAECAQE/AI3q1WXbgGf/xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAH/2gAIAQMBAT8AQy//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Villarreal and Manchester United locked horns in the UEFA Europa League final at the PGE Arena in Gdansk. In what was an intriguing encounter that required spot-kicks to decide a winner, Unai Emery spearheaded the Yellow Submarine to their first-ever European trophy, as they won 11-10 on penalties after canceling each other out 1-1 over 120 minutes of football.
Manchester United started the game on the front foot but failed to create too many chances, with Mason Greenwood and Paul Pogba impressing for the Red Devils in the opening exchanges. Villarreal, on the other hand, were sloppy in possession and failed to retain the ball, as Carlos Bacca and Gerard Moreno were largely isolated upfront.
However, Unai Emery's side shook Manchester United and broke the deadlock in style, as Dani Parejo's lofted ball freekick was slotted into the back of the net by Moreno. The Spaniard has been one of the best attackers in Europe this season and gave his side a precious lead going into the interval.
Manchester United piled on the pressure in the second half and scored the equalizer through Edinson Cavani. Villarreal failed to clear their lines from the corner and the ball reached Marcus Rashford at the edge of the box, whose shot ricocheted into the path of the Red Devils hitman. Cavani made no mistake from close range, as he restored parity on the night to give his side a much-needed confidence booster.
Neither side was able to find a goal in normal time, as extra time was enforced after the two sides canceled each other out in the closing stages of the game. Both Emery and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a raft of changes in added time, but the game went to penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes of football.
The penalty shootout proved to be one for the ages, as it ended 11-10 in favor of Villarreal. All ten outfield players had converted their respective spot-kicks, meaning it was up to the goalkeepers to step up from six yards. Villarreal goalkeeper Rulli scored his penalty emphatically and turned out to be the hero moments later, as he saved David de Gea's spot-kick and won the game for his side.
Emery got his hands on the UEFA Europa League for the fourth time in his career, making him the most decorated coach in the history of the competition. As for Solskajer and Manchester United, their deflating defeat means they are set to finish another season without silverware, with their last trophy coming under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
In what proved to be a historic night for Villarreal as they prevailed over Manchester United in Gdansk, here are the hits and flops from the game.
HIT - Raul Albiol | Villarreal
On the biggest stage, the Villarreal captain marshaled his backline magnificently and led from the front. While his central defensive partner Pau Torres also produced an impressive display, Raul Albiol was clearly the leader of the side and was up for the challenge right from the get-go.
He fought tooth and nail with the Manchester United attackers and finished with a pass accuracy of 93%, while he also made 10 clearances and won three out of his four aerial duels. The Spanish defender might be in the twilight years of his career, but he stepped up when his team needed him the most and proudly hoisted the trophy over his head after the game.
Also kept a cool head and scored a penalty in the shootout.
FLOP - Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United
With Harry Maguire only fit enough for a place on the bench, Bruno Fernandes was entrusted with the captain's armband for Manchester United. The Portuguese midfielder has been the Red Devils' talisman this season, but he produced one of his worst displays in a long time.
Fernandes failed to create chances for the likes of Rashford, Cavani and Mason Greenwood, while he was also sloppy in possession. Manchester United failed to create too many chances in the game and a large part of it was down to the Portuguese international, who failed to step up to the plate in a cup final.
The 26-year-old calmly dispatched his penalty in the shootout, but he finished the game with zero big chances created, a clear indication that it wasn't his night despite his best efforts.
FLOP - Marcus Rashford | Manchester United
Marcus Rashford enjoyed a fantastic season with Manchester United, but much like Bruno Fernandes, he failed to step up when his team needed him the most in the UEFA Europa League final. Having started alongside Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani in attack, the onus was on him to terrorize the Villarreal backline with his pace and trickery.
However, Unai Emery's side kept him at bay rather comfortably, as he endured a torrid outing in Gdansk. Rashford looked out of sorts and nothing seemed to go his way, as the Red Devils struggled to create chances at will.
He scored his penalty, but overall it was a frustrating night for the Englishman, who was visibly distraught after the full-time whistle.
HIT - Dani Parejo | Villarreal
Villarreal's midfield general Dani Parejo was the coolest head on the pitch and added some much-needed calmness to Unai Emery's side. The experienced midfielder is one of the most underrated players of his generation and added another feather to his cap with a magnificent display in the center of the park.
Parejo provided the assist for Gerard Moreno's goal and converted his penalty calmly, while he also kept things ticking in midfield and dominated proceedings against the likes of Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay and Fernandes.
The 32-year-old showed his experience in a big European tie and was arguably the best player on the pitch.
FLOP - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first final as Manchester United manager turned out to be a disaster. His decision to drop Fred in favor of an extra attacker on the biggest stage didn't work, as Villarreal dominated proceedings in midfield. Additionally, the Norwegian left it too late with his substitutions, as his first change came in the 100th minute of the game.
On paper, Manchester United were by far a better side than Villarreal. However, they failed to show that on the pitch and didn't look convincing on the night, as the Yellow Submarine pipped them on penalties after containing them rather easily over 120 minutes.
The likes of Juan Mata, Alex Telles, Daniel James and Axel Tuanzebe were introduced far too late to have any impact on the game. While it is likely that they were brought on with one eye on the penalty shootout, Solskjaer had a big enough squad to freshen things up but refused to do so when his side looked desperately devoid of ideas.
After a devastating loss, it remains to be seen how he rallies his players to come back stronger next season.
