Sevilla 2-1 Man Utd: LaLiga side into another Europa League final
Sevilla 2-1 Man Utd | Europa League 2019/20 semi-final
On the whistle match report
Zoran Milosavljevic for Reuters
Sevilla carved out an opportunity to win a record-extending sixth Europa League title after coming from behind to beat Manchester United 2-1 in the semi-final on Sunday.
The Spanish side will meet in Friday's final in Cologne either Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donetsk, who play in Dusseldorf on Monday night.
Sevilla substitute Luuk De Jong scored a 78th-minute winner after Suso had cancelled out an early Bruno Fernandes penalty that put United ahead.
The Portuguese midfielder converted a ninth-minute spot-kick, United's 22nd of the season in all competitions, after Marcus Rashford was fouled by Diego Carlos as Sevilla keeper Yassine Bono saved the England forward's close-range shot.
Suso levelled in the 26th when he swept a low cross from Sergio Reguilon inside the near post.
Bono pulled off numerous saves to deny United a second, however, before Sevilla struck against the run of play.
Dutchman De Jong steered the ball past United keeper David De Gea from five metres after a Jesus Navas cross from the right left him unmarked, condemning Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to their third semi-final defeat of the season following the FA Cup and League Cup.
After an even first half, United came out in the second half to dominate their opponents. They did exactly that and could well have had their final place sown up by the hour mark.
Good defending/goalkeeping and lack of clinical finishing kept Sevilla in the game, and when their chance arrived they took it. Then it was a matter of holding on with an organised defensive structure. That they did.
FULL-TIME
Peep, peep, peeeeeep!! It's all over. Sevilla are into the Europa League final
Sevilla on the counter after Fred loses the ball carelessly as he covered in midfield. De Jong into the area tries to roll it across the box for a tap in but Maguire does excellently to block and kill the danger
James sweeps in a lovely cross but the white shirts get onto it and batter it clear It's simple defend and clear tactics from Lopetegui's troops now
United still taking the game to Sevilla (understandably). Some neat interplay in very tight spaces is one touch too intricate and Bono has it again
Six more minutes still to be played
Fosu-Mensah delivers a tempting ball to the back post for James but he falls for the defender's clever movement and the ball runs out for a goal kick to Sevilla
James on for Wan-Bissaka
Time is running out for United but they come again, looking for any potential opening in a fuller-than-ever defence. Eventually the ball is chipped in to the edge of the area but it's easily dealt with
Maguire into the book for a foul on Munir
Munir into the book for asking for Maguire to go into the book
Sevilla work a couple more half chances to deliver down the right but fail to make anything from it. Useful for running down the clock though.
Following the goal, Lindelof and Fernandes had a bit of 'discussion', the former's lack of marking being questioned by the latter
The recently-introduced Luuk de Jong gets just his eighth of the season, tapping home yet another tempting Navas ball in from deep on the right
After awarding some very soft free-kicks, the ref has decided to wave everything away. First United taken down twice, then Sevilla on a break
The free-kick hits the jumping two-man wall and everyone associated with Sevilla claims a penalty. It does hit the arm of the United man which is close to the body and ref makes it very clear that nothing is being given.
Vazquez coming on for Suso
Dangerous free-kick position on the left for Sevilla. It was won by a wriggling Reguillón who drew it from Wan-Bissaka
A rare advance from Sevilla sees Suso lay off to Navas who clips the ball into the area once again. United deal with it well
Pogba takes a hit from distance, possibly frustrated at the narrow defending of Sevilla, but it flies well over the bar
Banega tries to get Sevilla on the front foot with a long pass forward but it's just slightly over hit
Rashford into the book for an angry reaction to a throw in going the other way. Silly
Finally the Andalusian side start to knock the ball around. They work it to Navas on the right who delivers a decent cross into the area which United head away well.
As Greenwood looks to break at pace he cons the ref into giving him a free-kick to the covering Reguillón.
With United dominating this second half thus far, Sevilla appear to be trying to niggle them out of their rhythm, rather than play them out of it.
Corner whipped in to the danger zone but well cleared by the defence and Sevilla look to break. Nothing comes of it and United back in possession.
That free-kick may have been seen as a breather for Sevilla but it didn't last long.
Greenwood bursts down the right and tries to get the ball across goal. It's blocked and a corner given.
Lindelof is penalised for a foul on Banega in the middle of the park. A card is motioned for but it was hardly an offence at all
A little play from the Spaniards is then turned over. Pogba comes forward, and United manage to keep the ball in tight spaces.
Greenwood then gets clattered as he tries to make something happen and needs a moment or two to recover.
Two changes being made by Lopetegui in an attempt to turn the tide before they get washed away:
Munir on for Ocampos
De Jong on for En-nesyri
HUGE CHANCE!! It's all United and this one was all Sevilla's own doing.
Sloppiness playing out from the back allows Pogba to intercept. He feeds Martial but the Frenchman loses out to Bono one-on-one.
CHANCE!!! And more chances.
A save from Bono and several desperate blocks from flying Sevillians keep the goal net untouched as Martial and Fernandes come close again.
Excellent first five minutes from United.
United have come out positive again, building pressure through Wan-Bissaka and Greenwood on the right but enough white shirts keep them at bay.
A rushed clearance just invites another attack
CHANCE!! Greenwood almost gets a goal within 40 seconds.
Beautiful through ball from Fernandes, controlled well and struck to the side of the onrushing Bounou. But the keeper gets enough of a block to keep it out.
Sevilla get us back underway
First half review
Well, that flew by. If we thought it may be a cagey encounter (which we actually didn't) then the opening few minutes made it clear. End to end stuff from both teams and although there have not been buckets of chances spaces were being created to allow them.
The 22nd penalty of the season for United maybe came as no surprise, and nor did the finish from Fernandes. That was at a time when Sevillla looked sloppy, but appeared then to be the catalyst for them to find their game faces.
As the LaLiga side started to find some momentum, a quick move down the left caught United's defence offguard, and Suso was found coming in unmarked at the back post to slide his neat finish home.
HALF-TIME
Peeeeeeep! The first half is brought to an end.
Sevilla create more danger with an overlapping Navas on the left. Unfortunately for him the danger quickly switches to the area he has left vacant behind.
Rashford sprints away in a two-on-two counter attack. He goes it alone but his seventh step over clips the ball and Sevilla clear.
PING! The ball sits up for Fernandes who hits a sweet volley from the edge of the area.
That could have been a wonder goal but it's directed straight at Bounou who blocks.
We'll have two added minutes
Fernandes gets himself right into the area but can't find a shot. Moments later, Rashford in the left channel tries his luck, but pulls it well wide.
En-Nesyri and Williams clash and there is initially a feeling of some naughtiness from the Moroccan.
The United man stays down until he sees that the ref is not going to do anything
Maguire has elbows up for a challenge (resulting in a free-kick for Sevilla) and Lopetegui is incensed.
He and Solskjaer exchange some pleasantries about it before the fourth official steps in to tell them this is not the place.
Pogba fouled and Rashford now has a chance to belt one in from a distant free-kick.
He gets plenty behind it, and enough movement to force Bounou into punching. Danger passes.
Delicious backheel from Greenwood in his own half that takes out three Sevilla pressers. It's the start of a much better move from United that, on a third play sees Fernandes drop a lovely pass over the defence for Rashford.
The English striker's first touch is good but can't get him in on goal and the Spaniards clear.
United develop another chance. Pogba and Wan-Bissaka exchange passes before the ball is rolled along the edge of the area where Martial curls a powerful effort goalwards.
Just over
Pogba has acres of space in the middle of the park as he steps forward into the Sevilla half. He chooses to pick out Martial in the area but it's a poor effort.
Sevilla continue to control this period of the game. Fernando drops in and collects from defence to help create.
This time Reguillón is set free to scamper but a better defensive approach from United keeps him, and his teammates at bay.
United have to keep an eye on that left-hand side. Reguillón loves to get forward as the midfielders make way.
That was class from Sevilla. Slid down the left wing and whipped low across the area by Reguillón for Suso to then fire in between De Gea and the post.
A very neat finish from the former Liverpool player
Better build-up play now from the LaLiga side who are starting to find their feet, quite literally for some.
Banega, as usual, is at the heart of it
Navas attempts to send his strikers going but his direct ball runs all the way through to De Gea.
Diego Carlos now in the book - something he's rather familiar with - after going through Martial. And that's after the penalty 'tackle'
It's been an open first 20 minutes with the latest attempt seeing Martial getting in but is pulled back for a foul leading up to his strike.
Williams first into the book after a late challenge on Jordan who turns neatly and draws him in
CHANCE! Fred gets a sniff at goal from the right side angle of the six-yard box. It's a bad miscue from the Brazilian.
Navas switches the play nicely over Wan-Bissaka to the left-wing. The play is then worked back to Banega who finds Navas running in at the back post.
His volley is not worth talking about #rowZ
Sevilla immediately get onto the front foot but the chance evades them as they get into De Gea's area.
Penalty given! Fernandes to take.
A penalty shout here for United! Martial into the area and as he passes across the goal he is clattered. VAR having a look...
Those nerves may be aided with that latest move. Navas gets round the back of the defence in the left channel but his cut back is cut out.
Sloppy pass across the middle of the park from the Sevilla full-back Regillón. It's intercepted but United fail to make anything of it.
The Spaniards have started rather nervously.
The corner is taken short and worked back down the line before being lifted high into the Sevilla area. McGuire is still there and rises high to reach under pressure but heads over the bar.
Corner to United early after Greenwood and Fernandes show some invention.
And we're off!
The captains' toss-up sees a huge difference in size as Navas and McGuire stand either side of the referee.
The teams are lined up on the pitch. The crowd is replaced by huge branded covers along with a spattering of substitutes, officials and journalists.
Almost time...
We're just five minutes away from kick-off now. The warm ups have been completed and the final words been made by the managers and captains.
Sevilla's revered sports director, Ramón Rodríguez Verdejo, commonly known as Monchi, taking in the surroundings in Cologne in his club mask.
Banega vs Fernandes
There is no surprise that lots of knowledgeable observers are excited about the battle in midfield between Sevilla's Ever Banega and United's Bruno Fernandes. So I'll join them.
It's not a traditional clash that will see them fight it out directly - or at least not too often - but the question is more about which of the talented players will be able to pull the appropriate strings for their side.
Banega made over 100 passes against Wolves, and Solskjaer will already have a plan for how to minimise his influence on the game. Fernandes likewise will be a key concern for Lopetegui.
Whoever gets on the ball most is potentially a sign of which team has more control of the encounter and, if they deliver like we know they can, could decide it.
UEFA coronavirus format delivering the goods
If you don't actually have any skin in the games - yes, I'm not looking at you Barça and City fans - then the one-legged knockouts have produced some stunning matches in recent days.
Bayern's 8-2 demolishing of Barça is one that won't be forgotten any time soon, while Pep Guardiola's tinkering with the normally-impressive City allowed Lyon to advance 3-1.
(Maybe UEFA will consider a never-considered-before idea of having a single leg knockout tournament going forward)
Relive those games here and fingers crossed for more excitement tonight:
Lopetegui lauds United
Once Sevilla had clinched their place in the semi-final, their boss was quick to point to their opponent's history and size, but said his boys would be ready.
"We are going to play against Manchester United in the next match - they're the biggest team in the world but we're going to be prepared for them," Lopetegui told reporters.
"We're focused on the next game, against a top, historic side, one of the best in the history of the sport who are in great form.
"We will give our best as we always do. To play against them will be really tough, but we'll go into it believing we can beat them."
Penalty warning for Sevilla
That spot kick in the previous round will be a factor that Lopetegui is very aware of. Across all competitions this past season, United have been awarded 21 penalties, which is more than any other side across the big five leagues in Europe.
Four of these have come in the Europa League and Sevilla will not want to add to that tally.
How United reached the semi
Karl-Johan Johnsson was the stand-out performer in United's quarter-final against FC Copenhagen. The opposing goalkeeper was inspired throughout and frustrated the Premier League giants on 13 occasions.
It took an extra-time penalty by Fernandes to secure his side's passage through.
How Sevilla reached the semi
The team from Andalucia prevented us sitting down to an all Premier League affair tonight by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.
There wasn't much in the game, although Sevilla were the more dominant, and it was decided by a Lucas Ocampos goal late on.
Starting teams review
Lopetegui has gone for the same eleven that overcame Wolves in the quarter-final, with the experienced Jesús Navas captaining the team.
Solskjaer has made a couple of changes to the side that beat Copenhagen. Lindelof comes in for Bailly and De Gea takes over from Romero. The Spaniard has only played in one other UEL game this season.
Many predicted that Matic would replace Fred but the Brazilian starts in midfield.
Man Utd starting XI
De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Williams, Fred, Fernandes, Pogba, Greenwood, Martial, Rashford
Sevilla starting XI
Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Reguilón, Fernando, Jordán, Banega, Ocampos, Suso, En-Nesyri
Sevilla vs Manchester United: how and where to watch - times, TV...
Where to watch this game
No matter where you are in the world, there is likely to be some way to enjoy this huge match.
And we have put together this handy little guide to help you.
United gunning for glory
Third place in the Premier League for The Red Devils was a pipe dream halfway through the season for all but the most optimistic fans. But under the guidance of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - and the excellence of one Bruno Fernandes in particular - that is exactly what was achieved.
The play is much more positive than under previous boss José Mourinho, but that will count for little if this side doesn't follow what the Portuguese man did in 2017, by winning this trophy.
Another reason for United fans to demand this major honour is that it would take the famous club's tally to 46. That would bring them closer to the 48 of eternal rivals Liverpool.
Sevillian love for Europa League
The LaLiga side have grown rather attached to this tournament, having won it on five occasions. This makes them the most successful in the competition's history.
Under Unai Emery they won three back-to-back and Julen Lopetegui - previous Spain and Real Madrid manager - is developing another side capable of clinching it this year.
Like United, a place in the Champions League is already assured (thanks to a fourth-place finish in LaLiga) but silverware is something the club are getting, relatively, used to.
Sevilla vs Man Utd: Europa League live
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the first semi-final of the Europa League 2019/20.
It may be getting played unusually late in the year, given it's now the middle of August, but both sides will be desperate to reach the final, and with a single match to decide the outcome, it's all about tonight.
Kick off is at 21:00 local time (CEST) and I'll be taking you through from now until the end of proceedings, potentially including extra-time and penalties.