‘It’s not yellow, it’s gold!’: Spanish media hail Villarreal’s ‘historic champions’

Spain‘s media are celebrating Villarreal’s ‘historic’ Europa League victory on Thursday after the Spanish side defeated Manchester United in the final in Gdansk.

Villarreal emerged victorious after an epic 22-penalty shoot-out, with Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea missing the decisive spot-kick to hand Unai Emery’s side glory.

On Wednesday, a Spanish media that is often split between the Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry was united in supporting Villarreal and it’s a theme that continues on Thursday as they mark their triumph.

Marca, a Madrid-based publication, lead the way with a headline of ‘it’s not yellow, it’s gold!’ on their front page, alongside a picture of the Villarreal players celebrating with the trophy on the pitch in Poland.

And it’s a similar theme for Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona paper. Their front page simply reads ‘historic’ next to a picture of Villarreal hoisting the trophy aloft.

AS, meanwhile, label Villarreal ‘heroic champions’ in a front page that is shared with the news that Zinedine Zidane will be stepping down as Real Madrid manager.

Villarreal went 1-0 up in Wednesday’s final thanks to a goal from Gerard Moreno two minutes before the half-time interval.

United regrouped at the break at hit back promptly through Edinson Cavani in the 55th minute and from then on, there was no separating the teams.

The match went to penalties and even then, they were equal as every outfiled player for each side found the net before Villarreal keeper Geronimo Rulli scored and then kept out De Gea’s effort.

Victory was also a record fourth Europa League triumph for boss Emery – his previous three coming during his tenure as Sevilla manager.