After a thrilling and mostly even contest, Sevilla edged over the line on penalty kicks to defeat ten-man Espanyol. Twice the Barcelona side had come from behind to push the Andalucians close, but Sevilla had slightly more confidence and class throughout proceedings. Nonetheless, this was a closer encounter than many had predicted.

Sevilla lined up unusually. Escude missed out, Puerta playing, unusually, at centre-back with Javi Navarro. Marti started right midfield, Maresca supporting the strikers and Poulsen being the calming defensive influence. Adriano returned on the left flank after a period of injury. For Espanyol, there were no surprises. Moises was operating defensively in a four-man midfield to nullify the attacking threat of Maresca and the strikers, while de la Pena supported the forwards at the other send. David Garcia slotted in at left back, with Torrejon and Jarque in the centre. The only unusual selection was Gorka Iraizoz in goal; however, after an unbeaten European campaign, the second-string keeper earned his spot. However, the major changes after half time, and the red card, altered the face of each side.

Sevilla were dominant in the early exchanges; sizing up their opponents, it took them six minutes to carve out a chance when Kanoute headed over following good work from Fabiano. However, Espanyol gradually settled in, mostly attacking with the long ball. Indeed, Espanyol's speculative efforts were looking good, but then Sevilla scored with some Route One genius. Palop collected a corner and hurled the ball towards Adriano on the left; David Garcia failed to make the challenge, and the Brazilian beat Gorka from close range for a sweet goal. However, Sevilla's further adventures - not least from Alves - left them exposed, and Riera equalised with a brilliant solo effort. His run down the left culminated in a deflectedlow shot from the edge of the area: 1-1. This emboldened Espanyol, who took over the initiative, but neither team could be ruled out with good attacking play.

Sevilla exchanged Maresca for Navas to add wide support as the second half began, but it was Espanyol who enjoyed the best of the early stages,even before the introduction of Pandiani. Tamudo and Riera both came close, with de la Pena attacking nicely. Indeed, but for Palop they may have taken the lead, but then Moises saw a second yellow for a foul, leaving the defence exposed. To remedy this, striker Tamudo came off for Lacruz, who took to right-back, and Espanyol slowed down. Indeed, substituns continued to change the game; Adriano limped off for Renato, with Poulsen moving to defence, allowing Puerta to attack on the left. But as much as Sevilla drove men forward, their moves broke down on the edge of the box; only set-pieces brought chances, with Javi Navarro and Kanoute coming close, and extra time came.

While it looked as if Espanyol would weather the storm, the very last second of the first 15 brought a goal, Espanyol's defence finally crumbling after a period of heroics. Navas' sweet cross to the near post found Kanoute in front of his marker to tap over the line. Espanyol tried their best in the second period but so exposed they were that Sevilla had their chances, too, Alves and the brilliant Navas wasting opportunities. But then, drama of dramas, Jonatas received the ball from Pandiani, strode forward and slammed home a curving effort  from long range. Kanoute missed an absolute sitter after a corner, and penalties were inevitable. In the shootout, only one player finished their penalty confidently, but Palop, the Sevilla 'keeper, kept out three Espanyol strikes to give Sevilla an historic double.

So, Sevilla's treble is still a possibility. La Liga looks distant, but they did just enough here to grab their first silverware of the season and become the second side ever to defend the UEFA Cup. For Espanyol, the season is over, but they performed extremely well here against an attacking side, particularly in light of the fact that they had ten men for much of it.