In pics - Sevilla clinch record sixth UEFA Europa League title with victory over Inter Milan

Sevilla clinched a sixth Europa League title with a roller-coaster 3-2 win over Inter Milan after an overhead kick by defender Diego Carlos deflected by the Italian side's top scorer Romelu Lukaku settled a thrilling contest. Despite a magnificent performance from Romelu Lukaku who smashed several records, it was scant consolation as gritty Sevilla claimed a record-extending sixth Europa League crown in just 14 years. As his team mates made up for the lack of noise in the Cologne Stadium -- free of fans because of the COVID-19 pandemic -- with ecstatic celebrations, tearful Sevilla captain Jesus Navas declared: "This squad deserves it. We fought all year, experienced the difficult situation, like everyone, tried to get through day by day. The fans deserve it, those who love football like we do and we have to enjoy it," he added. (Image credit: UEFA Europa League Twitter)

Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou celebrates the occasion of his team Sevilla winning the UEFA Europa League for the sixth time in 14 years as they held their nerve to beat a determined Inter Milan 3-2 in the final on Friday. The final got off to a rip-roaring start as Inter nearly fell behind moments before they took the lead when Fernando saw his goal-bound shot blocked by Roberto Gagliardini. Inter's lightning counter ended with Carlos tripping the irrepressible Lukaku before the striker steered his spot-kick past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Dutchman Luuk de Jong, who came off the bench to score Sevilla`s winner in a 2-1 semi-final win over Manchester United, then showed his predatory instincts again with a pair of superb headers which turned the tide. (Image credit: UEFA Europa League Twitter)

Sevilla players celebrate the victory with their coach Julen Lopetegui. The UEFA Europa League title is a redemption for coach Lopetegui who was sacked by Real Madrid and Spain at the start of the year due to a string of poor results in 2018. Julen Lopetegui has been dismissed as Real Madrid manager only 138 days into the job that cost him his chance to lead Spain at the World Cup. Lopetegui was sacked by the Spanish Football Federation in June after the RFEFpresident, Luis Rubiales, claimed to have found out only five minutes before the appointment was made public and two days before the tournament began; now he has been sacked by Madrid in the wake of their 5-1 hammering by Barcelona on Sunday. That defeat was Madrid’s third in a row in La Liga. (Image credit: UEFA Europa League Twitter)

Inter missed their best chance of forcing extra time when Jules Kounde cleared the ball of his line after a goalmouth scramble and Sevilla held on in the dying minutes under intense Inter pressure. It was a joyful end of the season for their coach Julen Lopetegui, who won his first trophy as coach at senior level after a torrid period which saw him sacked by Spain and Real Madrid. Yet Inter’s Handanovic could only rue their failure to win a first trophy since 2011. "We are very disappointed but we have to move on," Slovenian Handanovic said. "We just hope to play many other important games like this in the future. The foundations are there." (Image credit: UEFA Europa League Twitter)

It ended as a dream final for Sevilla's Diego Carlos, who could easily have been sent off after he fouled Lukaku to give away the early penalty which the towering Belgian striker converted. Lukaku also equalled former Brazil striker Ronaldo’s club record of 34 goals for Inter in a season in all competitions, but it was scant consolation as gritty Sevilla claimed a record-extending sixth Europa League crown in just 14 years. As his team mates made up for the lack of noise in the Cologne Stadium -- free of fans because of the COVID-19 pandemic -- with ecstatic celebrations, tearful Sevilla captain Jesus Navas declared: "This squad deserves it. We fought all year, experienced the difficult situation, like everyone, tried to get through day by day. The fans deserve it, those who love football like we do and we have to enjoy it," he added. (Image credit: Twitter)