Sevilla retain iron grip on Europa League trophy

Sevilla captain Coke lifted the trophy at Basel’s St Jakob-Park having been the architect of their heroics, scoring twice to leave Liverpool gasping on the canvas after Kevin Gameiro had cancelled out Daniel Sturridge’s opener.

It was a remarkable turnaround after Liverpool had dominated the first half so completely that Juergen Klopp’s side should have been home and dry, but they failed to inflict further damage when their opponents were reeling.

Unai Emery’s team hit back with three goals in 25 minutes, the first coming just 17 seconds after the interval, to claim the trophy for the fifth time in 11 seasons and become the first side in 40 years to win three consecutive European competitions.

For Liverpool and Klopp, who has now suffered successive final defeats in his seven months in charge after February’s League Cup disappointment, it was a dispiriting occasion.