Sevilla retains Europa League with 3-2 win

A double from Colombian striker Carlos Bacca has helped Sevilla retain the Europa League with a thrilling 3-2 win over Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in Warsaw.

Bacca's decisive second goal came just 17 minutes from time on Wednesday, when he finished well from Vitolo's poked through ball.

In an exciting first period, Dnipro went in front early on through Nikola Kalinic but Grzegorz Krychowiak and Bacca put Sevilla ahead just after the half hour.

Ruslan Rotan then levelled things before the break with an exquisite free kick.

Bacca was denied a hattrick by Denys Boyko making a point-blank save but Sevilla were able to lift the Europa League trophy for a record fourth time, after victories in 2014, and in the UEFA Cup of 2006 and 2007, regardless.

Though the Spaniards started the match by controlling possession, it was unfancied Dnipro who opened the scoring after six minutes.

Kalinic released Matheus with a clever flick and raced into the box to meet the return cross with a firm downward header past Sergio Rico.

The champions fought back and were soon forcing Boyko into action in the Dnipro goal.

Krychowiak took advantage of slack defending to fire home a 28th minute equaliser from 14 yards with Boyko unsighted by a teammate.

Just three minutes later Sevilla had turned the game completely as a magnificent pass from Jose Antonio Reyes split the defence and Bacca bagged his sixth of the tournament having rounded Boyko to tap in.

Dnipro captain Rotan curled a beautiful free kick over the wall and beyond the reach of the despairing Rico on the stroke of half time to ensure the sides were level at the interval.

After the break Sevilla missed a glorious chance to go in front in an even game when Stephane Mbia headed over a corner from close range.

But gradually Sevilla started to turn the screw and finally, in the 73rd minute, the Ukrainians cracked as Vitolo sent Bacca clear in the box and he kept his cool to win the game.

And this year winning the Europa League brings an extra reward - in addition to collecting silverware, Sevilla's victory also propels them into the group stage of the Champions League.