Villarreal beat Manchester United 11-10 on penalties to win Europa League – as it happened

6.55pm EDT 18:55

Wait, pssst, come back! Here’s an impassioned Marcus Rashford talking after the game

“The feeling inside is difficult to explain. We came here to win – we’ve worked so hard all season and this was the opportunity to win a trophy, and it didn’t happen. We have to get rid of the disappointment and then look back at the game to see what we did wrong and where we can improve.

“This team will not give up. There’s no chance that the teams gives up. The manager will not give up, he’ll not allow us to give up. We’ll come next season with a bigger desire. People say a lot about Manchester United: ‘they’re going downhill, blah blah blah blah blah’. For me, the hunger, desire, talent and ability… we have everything to compete at the highest level. We just have to show it to the world and to ourselves, that we belong in the top places.

“We need to be winning finals like this. In the league we finished second. Second doesn’t count for nothing. Villarreal won the Europa League, we finished second. I don’t want to hear it: ‘Oh, they were so close.’ There’s one winner and one loser, and today we lost. We have to find out why and make sure next time we don’t lose.

“I’m 100 per cent sure [we have the right characters to win things]. I’ve seen the sacrifices in the dressing-room. I could walk you in there and show you five, six, seven players, and me as well, who’ve been playing with injuries since September. We all stick together and fight for this club. We have to go away now and clear our heads, and next year we come back fresh.

“When Ole came in there was a process, and we as players believe in that. This isn’t the end of the process. Part of it is having ups and downs, and we’ve had plenty of both. Just because we lost today, I promise the fans we will not give up. There’s no chance. I promise we are close to success. But close isn’t good enough.”

6.45pm EDT 18:45

That’s it for tonight’s blog. I’ll leave you with Jamie Jackson’s match report. Thanks for your company and emails, and congratulations to Villarreal on an historic achievement. 26 May 2021 will forever belong to them, and there’s nothing Dominic Cummings or anyone else can do about it. Night!

Villarreal beat Manchester United 11-10 on penalties to win Europa League final

6.44pm EDT 18:44

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaks

“The dressing-room is quiet, disappointed. That’s football: sometimes it’s decided on one kick. We’ve got to taste this feeling and make sure we don’t get it again. We didn’t turn up, we didn’t play as well as we can. We started all right; they got the goal with their only shot on target, and we’re disappointed to concede again on a set piece. We pushed, we pressed, we got the goal, but after that we couldn’t control the game.

“They made it hard for us. They closed the spaces and defended well. We didn’t create enough big chances. Now is not the time to discuss what I might have done differently, but when you go home without a trophy you haven’t done everything right.

“We’re getting closer and closer. We were one kick away tonight, but we’ve got to come back next year and make sure we improve again. The only way to get the fine margins on your side is to work harder and better.

“[Can you call this season successful] No. [How do you make the next step?] We need to get better, simple as. We had a difficult start with no pre-season. We got closer to the top and we got the final, but you need to win these finals.

“[Do you have the characters in the dressing-room to win things?] Yes, of course. We missed two big one today with Fred [who wasn’t fit enough to start] and Harry. We’re building a strong, competitive squad, and the spirit is really good. They’re gutted in there. Now isn’t the time to analyse the whole season.”

6.31pm EDT 18:31

“Bitterly disappointed but not surprised,” says Ruth Purdue. “Ole is shocking about subs and has been from the start. He talks about momentum but they surrendered all of it. And don’t get me started on changing players from game to game. That’s two seasons now they’ve run out of legs – not just this season. I am not blaming anyone for a penalty shootout at 11-10 either.”

I’m not sure they ran out of legs; they looked much fitter in the second half tonight. The delayed substitutions were fairly hard to understand though, because they got very tired in extra time. But I think that’s an issue within the game rather than over the whole season.

6.22pm EDT 18:22

It turns out that Manchester United’s gate to the shining uplands had a barbed-wire fence behind it. They’ve still had a good season but this is a seriously bitter blow which could – could – stymie them if they don’t start well in August.

Some final defeats come with no regrets. Ten years ago this week, United were hammered by a Barcelona team at their absolute peak. There’s been a bit of talk about Fergie getting his tactics wrong, but in reality that game was unwinnable.

There were regrets against the same team two years earlier, over the suspension of Darren Fletcher, the missed early chances and the concession of such a cheap goal that allowed Barcelona to start the passing carousel. And there will be a lot of regrets tonight – the cheap goal, the delayed substitutions, the lack of intensity for much of the game. They’ve looked a gift trophy in the mouth.

Updated at 6.27pm EDT

6.12pm EDT 18:12

There’s a Villarreal fan, a ruddy-faced fella who looks like he could keep a stiff upper lip at a family funeral, weeping openly as he watches his players, his team, go up to collect the trophy. It’s a beautiful scene, a deluxe version of Leicester’s FA Cup celebrations.

Mario Gaspar, the club captain, and the team captain Raul Albiol are last in line. They accept their medals, grab the trophy and lift it as high in the air as possible to signal that Villarreal have won the Europa League!

Villarreal’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Europa League. Photograph: Adam Warżawa/Pool/AFP/Getty Images Villarreal manager Unai Emery celebrates their victory. Photograph: Rafal Oleksiewicz/Pool/PA Over in Spain the party is just getting started for the Villarreal fans. Photograph: José Jordan/AFP/Getty Images The Villarreal players and staff celebrate in front ot their joyous fans. Photograph: Boris Streubel/UEFA/Getty Images

Updated at 7.07pm EDT

6.10pm EDT 18:10

The penalties happened so fast, and our system kept freezing, so I didn’t really have time to describe them. Most were excellent, though a couple (Shaw and another that I’ve forgotten) should have been saved. David de Gea, sad to say, had a stinker. I don’t mean his miss; that can happen to anyone and he shouldn’t be in that position anyway. But he barely looked like going the right way on the Villarreal penalties, never mind saving one. In hindsight, Dean Henderson – who has greater presence and arrogance – should have been brought on in the 123rd minute, like Tim Krul at the 2014 World Cup. It’s easy to say that now.

6.08pm EDT 18:08

United walk up to collect their losers medals. Bruno Fernandes doesn’t even look at his, Luke Shaw takes his off straight away, as do most of the other players.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford removes his medal as he walks past the Europa League trophy. Photograph: Maja Hitij/Pool/Reuters

Updated at 6.15pm EDT

6.06pm EDT 18:06

“Hello Rob,” says Kári Tulinius. “Considering how much stick Emery got as Arsenal manager, it feels like he’s due a some positive coverage in the anglophone media. Every Villarreal player knew exactly what to do at all times, even when under sustained pressure, which is always a sign of a good manager.”

Agreed. He’s clearly an extremely good manager, especially when it comes to punching up.

Unai Emery and his Villarreal players celebrate their victory. Photograph: Janek Skarżyński/Pool/Reuters

Updated at 6.22pm EDT

6.04pm EDT 18:04

Unai Emery outcoached Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as much as anything in his use of substitutes. The tactics were also bespoke, with sometimes as many as eight players in a line on the edge of the area, but United asked for trouble by conceding the first goal. They had a really good spell after Edinson Cavani, when it looked like they would overwhelm a tired Villarreal, but the substitutions (and lack thereof) changed the game and United let extra-time pass them by.

The margins are so fine. For all the regrets and frustration, United would probably have won had Dean Henderson been in goal for the penalty shoot-out. But it was clear after about 94 minutes that United need fresh legs and fresh minds, ideally Juan Mata or Donny van de Beek. Solskjaer has had an extremely good season, but this was a really bad night.

5.59pm EDT 17:59

Bruno Fernandes is in tears. He didn’t have his best game, though Villarreal’s dense low block made it very hard for him. It was a poor match, and Villarreal – quite rightly – will not give a solitary toss about any of that. They’ve won their first trophy and, while their defensive performance might not meet Danny Blanchflower’s threshold of glory, it will satisfy most people’s. And Unai Emery has now won four Europa Leagues.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes is consoled by Alex Telles. Photograph: Kacper Pempel/Reuters

Updated at 6.55pm EDT

5.57pm EDT 17:57

That might be David de Gea’s last kick for United, which is especially cruel – not to mention weird – for a goalkeeper. The United players look a bit numb, while the Villarreal players are having the most euphoric moments of their professional lives. This is a glorious story for a very likeable club, and there are tears on both sides of the advertising boards as their players salute the fans.

5.55pm EDT 17:55

Full time: Villarreal 11-10 Man Utd

Villarreal have won the first trophy in their history! David de Gea placed the penalty to his right, but Rullui went the right way, got hands on it – and this time it didn’t sneak under him!

Villarreal players celebrate after winning the Europa League. Photograph: Michael Sohn/Pool/Reuters David De Gea is consoled by teammates Axel Tuanzebe and Daniel James following their defeat. Photograph: Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Updated at 6.03pm EDT

5.55pm EDT 17:55

VILLARREAL HAVE WON THE EUROPA LEAGUE!

Rulli saves from de Gea!!!!

Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli saves the penalty of goalkeeper David de Gea. Photograph: Kacper Pempel/Pool/EPA Rulli celebrates his save. Photograph: Rafal Oleksiewicz/PA His team mates rush to celebrate with Rulli. Photograph: Aleksandra Szmigiel/Pool/EPA

Updated at 6.11pm EDT

5.54pm EDT 17:54

RULLI SCORES! Villarreal 11-10 Man Utd

Another spectacular penalty!

5.54pm EDT 17:54

LINDELOF SCORES! WE’RE DOWN TO THE GOALKEEPERS!

It’s 10-10! Rulli got hands on it but it was too high and too powerful.

5.53pm EDT 17:53

TORRES SCORES! Villarreal 10-9 Man Utd

Another sensational penalty from a defender.

5.52pm EDT 17:52

TUANZEBE SCORES! Villarreal 9-9 Man Utd

Another supremely nonchalant penalty!

5.51pm EDT 17:51

MARIO GASPAR SCORES! Villarreal 9-8 Man Utd

All 1 penalties have been scored!

5.50pm EDT 17:50

SHAW SCORES! Villarreal 8-8 Man Utd

An awful penalty but it somehow sneaks under Rulli!

5.50pm EDT 17:50

COQUELIN SCORES! Villarreal 8-7 Man Utd

Caressed into the top corner, a tender Pressman. What a penalty!

5.49pm EDT 17:49

JAMES SCORES! It’s 7-7!

Dear me, we’re almost at the goalkeepers.

5.48pm EDT 17:48

ALBIOL SCORES! Villarreal 7-6 Man Utd

Another nerveless penalty. Which poor bugger is up next for United?

5.48pm EDT 17:48

FRED SCORES! It’s 6-6!

That was a cracking penalty.

Manchester United’s Fred celebrates scoring a penalty, Photograph: Maja Hitij/Reuters

Updated at 5.52pm EDT

5.47pm EDT 17:47

MOI GOMEZ SCORES! Villarreal 6-5 Man Utd

Straight down the middle.

5.46pm EDT 17:46

CAVANI SCORES! Villarreal 5-5 Man Utd

Now we’re into actual sudden death.

Updated at 5.47pm EDT

5.46pm EDT 17:46

PAREJO SCORES! Villarreal 5-4 Man Utd

Boomed into the net, with de Gea moving late. And now Villarreal are at match point.

5.45pm EDT 17:45

RASHFORD SCORES! Villarreal 4-4 Man Utd

A delightfully cool penalty. It’s effectively sudden death.

Updated at 5.45pm EDT

5.44pm EDT 17:44

ALBERTO MORENO SCORES! Villarreal 4-3 Man Utd

A brilliant penalty, crashed into the bottom-right corner. De Gea went the right way but was nowhere near it.

Updated at 5.44pm EDT

5.44pm EDT 17:44

FERNANDES SCORES! Villarreal 3-3 Man Utd

Yikes. Rulli got a hand on that as well, but it sneaked into the net.

5.43pm EDT 17:43

ALCACER SCORES! Villarreal 3-2 Man Utd

So close! De Gea went the right way and got a hand on it, but it sneaked into the net.

Paco Alcacer of Villarreal scores during the penalty shoot out. Photograph: Adam Warżawa/Pool/EPA

Updated at 5.51pm EDT

5.42pm EDT 17:42

TELLES SCORES! Villarreal 2-2 Man Utd

Another good penalty; Rulli went the wrong way.

5.41pm EDT 17:41

DANI RABA SCORES! Villarreal 2-1 Man Utd

de Gea, whose penalty record isn’t great, again goes the wrong way.

Updated at 5.41pm EDT

5.41pm EDT 17:41

MATA SCORES! Villarreal 1-1 Man Utd

Rulli went the right way but it was really well struck.

Photograph: Kacper Pempel/EPA

Updated at 5.46pm EDT

5.40pm EDT 17:40

MORENO SCORES! Villarreal 1-0 Man Utd

Lovely penalty. He sat de Gea down and slid it in the other corner.

5.40pm EDT 17:40

Gerard Moreno walks forward

Here we go, here we go, here we go, here we go, this is it

5.39pm EDT 17:39

Villarreal have won the toss and will bat go first

That’s usually a decent advantage.

5.37pm EDT 17:37

“It seems a bit late in the season,” says Gerry Scott, “for United to stop taking the Europa League seriously.”

Arf.

Updated at 5.37pm EDT

5.33pm EDT 17:33

123 min Villarreal make their sixth change – Capoue off, Dani Raba on.

5.33pm EDT 17:33

123 min United make two substitutions with penalties in mind: Juan Mata and Alex Telles come on for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and the admirable Scott McTominay.

5.30pm EDT 17:30

120 min United have Juan Mata ready to come on for penalties, if the ball goes out of play. Donny van de Beek has reportedly been seen in Selfridges on Oxford Street.

5.30pm EDT 17:30

119 min Now Luke Shaw is receiving treatment after being accidentally kneed in the face by Coquelin. He’s had a strong game again, particularly during that second-half spell during which it looked like United would overwhelm Villarreal.

5.29pm EDT 17:29

119 min “Oh dear,” says Jim Fulton. “Can’t we break for a nap? Pick up in the morning?”

5.28pm EDT 17:28

118 min If United lose on penalties, they will have regrets over this extra-time period, which has completely passed them by. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been far too passive in my eternally humble opinion.

5.27pm EDT 17:27

117 min United now have Rashford left, James right, Fernandes behind Cavani and Mata and van de Beek IN THEIR BLOODY TRACKSUITS.

5.26pm EDT 17:26

116 min Two changes for United. Axel Tuanzebe replaces Eric Bailly, who has pulled something I think, and Daniel James is on for Paul Pogba.

5.25pm EDT 17:25

NO PENALTY! That Gerard Moreno shot hit Fred’s hand in the area, but he was so close to Moreno and VAR isn’t interested.