Dnipro vs. Sevilla: Score, Report and Reaction from 2015 Europa League Final

Sevilla repeated as Europa League Champions by beating Dnipro, 3-2, on Wednesday, booking their spot in next year's UEFA Champions League after a thrilling contest.   

Carlos Bacca bagged a brace, and Grzegorz Krychowiak also scored to cancel out an early opener from Nikola Kalinic. Ruslan Rotan found an equaliser just before half-time, but Bacca notched a late winner to hand the Spaniards their second consecutive Europa League crown.

Sevilla came into the final as the favourites, and as Squawka shared, history was in their favour:

The team started with plenty of possession and attacking intent, pushing Dnipro back into their own half. Bacca had a half-chance to start proceedings, but overall, the Ukrainians defended well.

Dnipro have been fantastic on the counter this year, and they shocked Sevilla by taking an early lead after just seven minutes. Kalinic latched on to a long ball before receiving the cross back, and he calmly headed it into goal.

As AS English tweeted, that wasn't how everyone thought this match would play out:

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan was disappointed with Sevilla's defending:

The defending champions were stunned but quickly regained their dominance in possession, pushing hard for an equaliser. Vitolo came close when he found some space, but his shot was charged down just in time.

Bacca and Jose Antonio Reyes also had several chances, but Dnipro's defence stood firm and goalkeeper Denys Boyko produced several fine saves.

He was powerless to stop Krychowiak's effort, however. The ball fell to him from a set piece and somehow found its way through a forest of legs to the delight of Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

Minutes later, the score was 2-1 in favour of Sevilla. Bacca found himself on the end of a routine through ball, easily rounded Boyko and put the ball in the net. Bleacher Report UK had to use this meme:

Sevilla were now in control, but instead of pushing the pace in search of a third goal, they relaxed and allowed Dnipro back into the match.

That proved to be a mistake, as just before half-time, Rotan produced a stunning free-kick that pulled his team level again. The Europa League's official Twitter account couldn't believe what it was watching:

At half-time, the score was 2-2, and fans watching the match were undoubtedly the biggest winners.

ESPN's Janusz Michallik warned that more drama could be on its way:

The pace of the match didn't drop at the start of the second half, but chances became fewer. Yevhen Konoplyanka was the main danger man, and Sevilla manager Unai Emery made the difficult decision to take off Reyes in favour of Coke.

Stephane M'Bia had a free header on goal in the 64th minute, but his effort flew well over the bar. Three minutes later, Krychowiak nearly took advantage of another wild scramble in the Dnipro box, but somehow, the Ukrainians managed to clear the ball. Sevilla certainly had the better of play, but Dnipro remained a threat on the counter. 

It looked as if the next team to score would go on to win the 2014-15 Europa League, and unsurprisingly, it was the ultimate poacher, Bacca, who restored Sevilla's lead. The Colombian split the offside trap wide open before easily converting from close range.

Author Sid Lowe produced this Star Wars-related pun following the decisive goal:

Bacca nearly doubled Sevilla's lead twice in two minutes, but Boyko managed to tip his first header over the bar before his second went just wide. That would be the end of Bacca's match, as Emery took him off the pitch with 10 minutes left on the clock.

In the 87th minute, there was a slight scare involving Matheus, who suddenly collapsed. Replays showed the Dnipro man clashed heads earlier in the match, but the 32-year-old appeared to be responsive as he was stretchered off the pitch.

The unfortunate injury left Dnipro down a man in search of an equaliser, and Sevilla easily saw out the final minutes to win the match. Full credit goes to Dnipro, who put up a fantastic match, but ultimately, Sevilla were clearly the better team.

Sevilla's win means the Spanish Liga will have five representatives in the Champions League next year, and Barcelona will have the chance to complete the European double for the league next week when they take on Juventus in Berlin. 

Post-Match Reaction

As Phil Kitromilides of Real Madrid TV reported, Bacca dedicated his goals to God and his family after the match:

Manager Emery was asked about his future with the club and needed a lot of time to answer:

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