Europa League: Villarreal wins their first Europa League after a penalty shoot-out.

Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli scored the decisive penalty and saved United’s keeper David de Gea spot kick to help the LaLiga club to lift their only title this season after finishing the season in position seven on the log.

United on the other hand lost their first Europa title since 2017 when they worn with manager Jose Mourinho after thrashing Ajax 2-0 in a final which was played at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden.

This season’s final was the first to be played infront of the crowd since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Unai Emery’s side was the first to score in the 29th minute of the first half when striker Gerard Moreno stretched to reach Dani Parejo’s free kick and steered the ball past De Gea. United had their relief when Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani drove the ball home after collecting Marcus Rashford deflected shot ten minutes inside the second half.

Coach Emery outshined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side who were the favourites to win their second title within four years due to their more storied history.

With his well known style of studying the opponents, Villarreal managed to minimise United’s strength despite of their stronger start, ensuring Bruno Fernandes was deprived of space to create danger and Cavani had little wiggle room.

Manchester United got their only chances infront of the goal from Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw but it didn’t bore any fruits. Even though Villarreal didn’t shine, they utilised the only chance from the free kick they got courtesy of Cavani.

Moreno scored his 30th goal of the season when he got an assist from Dani Parejo after an effort by Raul Albiol.

United responded through Cavani who salvaged his gift of free kick to the opponent when he found the net when a corner kick which Rashford had lifted above the crowd found the Uruguayan path after a deflection.

The 35-year-old had a couple more half-chances to find the winner while Rashford missed a gilt-edged opportunity but was offside anyway.

Villarreal's defender Pau Torres missed to score a late winner when his shot went over the bar. His team was better in the first half of extra time after Emery made all five changes before full time, contrasting with ole Gunnar’s, move of making his first change in the 100th minute.

Finally the extra time elapsed and no goals were scored prompting a penalty shoot-out where Villarreal scored all their penalty shots, with their keeper saving the day when he prevented the English side taking the title by saving De Gea’s shot to help them take their maiden Europa League trophy helping Unai Emery win his fourth Europa League title as a manager.