Thursday, May 27, 2021

Mano a Mano

The Europa League final 2021 today was a good match. Manchester United and Villarreal were both concentrated and well-organised in a match with chances for both teams. In my view Manchester United were a bit better, and surely deserved the second-half equalizer by the ever-brilliant Edison Cavani. But in the end 1-1 was a fair result of a good match. 

That said, the match will mostly be remembered for the outcome of the penalty kicks: 11-10! There were only a few near misses in what generally represented two of the best-prepared teams for penalty kicks that I have ever seen. Both team´s players appeared cool-headed and concentrated for every kick, most of which were excellent with little or no chance for the Manchester United´s and Villarreal´s respective goalkeepers, David de Gea and Geronimo Rulli. 

At the score 10-10 it was time for a "mano-a-mano" between the two goalkeepers: first Geronimo Rulli scored elegantly against de Gea, before the Spaniard´s shot was saved by Rulli, giving the title to Villarreal and turning the Argentinean goalkeeper into the unexpected hero of the day! 

This is a historical victory for the team from the small town in the Province of Castellón. Their first European title!

No comments: