Chukwueze wins his first major trophy in Europe as Villarreal beat Man Utd in UEL final

Published: May 26, 2021

Villarreal have won the Europa League for the first time in their history, beating Manchester United 11-10 on penalties after regulation and extra-time ended level at 1-1 in the showpiece held at the Gdansk Stadium in Poland on Wednesday night.

As for team news, there was no Nigerian involvement in the final with Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze failing to recover from an injury to the rectus anterior and Manchester United striker Shola Shoretire omitted from the matchday squad.

Chukwueze appeared in eleven matches before tonight's final and Shoretire played one game as a substitute, against Real Sociedad in the round of 32.

Villarreal took the lead just before the half-hour mark, when Gerard Moreno half-volleyed the ball past goalkeeper De Gea after a fine free-kick swung in by Parejo.

Nine minutes into the second half, United equalised through Edinson Cavani, the Uruguay marksman capitalized on a bit of fortune to finish from close range after a deflected effort fell kindly into his path.

Villarreal defended solidly as a group after United's equaliser and were able to take the game to extra-time and later penalties.

In the shootout to decide the winner of the Europa League, goalkeeper De Gea presented Villarreal with the title when he missed his spot kick after all the 20 outfield players plus Villarreal glovesman Gerónimo Rulli converted their kicks.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : villarrealcf.es

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