Benfica’s poor luck has refused to go away

The curse of Bela Guttman returned to haunt Benfica as Sevilla won a penalty shoot-out to beat the Portuguese giants in the Europa League final in Turin.

The Hungarian coach declared Benfica would never win another European final when he was denied a pay-rise and left the club in anger having delivered back-to-back European Cups in 1961 and 1962.

Over the intervening 52 years, Benfica have fallen short in the final on seven occasions, most recently conceding a late goal to Chelsea in Amsterdam to concede the 2013 Europa League crown.

Last night, they could not be separated from Sevilla – UEFA Cup winners in 2006 and 2007 – over 120 minutes and penalty misses from Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo allowed substitute Kevin Gameiro to prolong their agony as Guttman’s fateful words rang around the Juventus Stadium.

In the penalty shoot-out Lima and Bacca netted before Cardozo’s stuttering run-up saw him clip the ball straight at Beto.

Stephane Mbia powered home and Sevilla were on the verge of claiming the trophy when Rodrigo was denied.

Coke scored, Luisao kept Benfica alive for a few seconds longer, but substitute Gameiro was soon wheeling away in celebration after beating Oblak to inspire rapture among the Sevilla supporters.