Villarreal vs Man United: Spanish League giants emerge Europa League champions after penalty shootout

Villarreal vs Man United: Spanish League giants emerge Europa League champions after penalty shootout

Babajide Orevba, Oluwatomiwa Babalola
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:42 PM

- Villarreal crown their season with the Europa League title

- The La Liga team beat Man United on penalties to emerge champions this campaign

- David de Gea's failure to convert his spot-kick gave the Spanish team the trophy

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Spanish League giants Villarreal have emerged Europa League champions after beating Manchester United 11-10 on penalties.

The game was settled by the spot kicks after both sides played a 1-1 draw in the regulation period with Gerard Moreno and Edinson Cavani scoring for either side.

Moreno opened the scoring for the La Liga team one minute before the half-hour mark as the duo of Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly were caught off guard by the attacker.

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But a 55th-minute equaliser from the former PSG forward ensured the game stretch into penalties at the Polsat Plus Arena in Gdansk.

Villarreal vs Man United: Spanish League giants emerge Europa League champions after penalty shootout
Geronimo Rulli deservedly lifting the Europa League title after saving the penalty that handed Villarreal the victory over Man United. Photo by Michael Sohn / POOL / AFP
Source: Getty Images

Coach Unai Emery's men started on a brighter note as they asked so many questions from their opponent - one which produced their only goal in the open game.

However, the Premier League outfit had to wake up from their slumbers after conceding the 29th-minute goal but all their efforts to find the back of the net were rendered useless by the disciplined Villarreal defenders.

Meanwhile, Geronimo Rulli was the hero for Villarreal after saving his fellow goalkeeper's spot-kick to put an end to the marathon between the two sides.

This victory now makes Emery the first manager to win the title four times in the history of the competition.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has identified two key areas the club needs to strengthen ahead of the summer transfer window in order to catch rivals Man City.

The Red Devils have enjoyed a tremendous campaign this season and nearly have the Premier League title a shot before they dropped out of the title race.

United sealed a second-place finish with 74 points from 38 points, 12 behind City who emerged champion at the end of the competition.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
Oluwatomiwa Babalola photo
Oluwatomiwa Babalola
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