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Paulo Dybala Scores In Europa League Final After Jose Mourinho Mind Games

Paulo Dybala scored the first goal of the 2023 UEFA Europa League final after being handed a surprise start by Roma manager Jose Mourinho following mind games.

Robert Summerscales

Paulo Dybala Scores In Europa League Final After Jose Mourinho Mind Games
Paulo Dybala Scores In Europa League Final After Jose Mourinho Mind Games /

Paulo Dybala scored the opening goal of the 2023 UEFA Europa League final after being handed a surprise start by Roma manager Jose Mourinho.

Dybala had not started a game in almost seven weeks after suffering from an adductor injury followed by ankle problems.

Mourinho had said on the eve of Wednesday's final against Sevilla that Dybala would likely only be fit enough to play for "20 to 30 minutes".

But that appeared to be Mourinho playing mind games because his star striker sharply fired Roma 1-0 up 35 minutes into the match.

Roma striker Paulo Dybala (no.21) pictured scoring against Sevilla in the 2023 UEFA Europa League final
Roma striker Paulo Dybala (no.21) pictured scoring against Sevilla in the 2023 UEFA Europa League final :: IMAGO/PA Images/Adam Davy

Dybala produced a clinical two-touch finish after being played through on goal by Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.

This was Dybala's 17th goal of the season for Roma and his fifth in the Europa League.

But it was not enough to get his team over the line.

Sevilla equalized in the second half through a Mancini own goal before the Spanish side went on to win 4-1 in a penalty shootout.

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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.