Sevilla beat Benfica in Europa League final shootout

Turin, May 15 (IANS) Sevilla beat Benfica 4-2 on penalties to win the UEFA Europa League final Wednesday.

The Spanish club, who won the competition in 2006 and 2007, celebrated a hat-trick of crowns following a tense shootout at Juventus stadium, Xinhua reported.

Kevin Gameiro smashed in the winning kick for Sevilla after goalkeeper Beto saved penalties from Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo in the shootout.

Benfica still could not kick away their European curse as they now have lost all eight of their previous continental finals.

If their former coach Bela Guttman's decree is true, they would have to wait until 2062 to win a European title.

The Hungarian quit Benfica in 1962 after a pay-rise request was denied and famously decreed that they would wait 100 years for their next European title.

Sevilla and Benfica created chances but could not grasp them in 120 minutes, and a shootout was inevitable.

Sevilla goalkeeper Nicolas Pareja cleared Lima's goalbound effort off the line early in the second half.

Carlos Bacca wasted Sevilla's best chance in the first period of extra time, sending his effort just wide of goal after being played through by the outstanding Ivan Rakitic.

However, the Colombian managed to keep his cool to shoot from 12 yards to help seal their third Europa League title in nine years.