http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=341106&cc=4716
Falcao inspires Atletico
Radamel Falcao justified his golden boot billing by firing Atletico Madrid 2 Europa League glory, producing 2 moments of magic in the 1st half b4 Diego's late goal put the seal on Atletico's 2nd title in 3 years.
Diego Simeone's side were vastly superior in their eagerly awaited all-Spanish final against Athletic Bilbao as Marcelo Bielsa's men froze on the big occasion.
Falcao's 11th & 12th goals of the tournament not only earned him the top scorer prize ahead of Schalke's Klaas Jan Huntelaar but took his all-time record in the competition to 29 in 29 games.
Bilbao had come in2 the tournament thru the qualifying round, & aft they drew their home leg 0-0 with Trabzonspor they were spared a tricky return clash in Turkey aft their opponents were promoted 2 the Champions League 2 replace Fenerbahce, withdrawn by the Turkish FA amid a match-fixing investigation.
They hv thrilled & delighted onlookers since, never more so than in their win over ManU, but never truly got going in Budapest as their big names disappointed.
Arda Turan's cross provided the 1st Atletico chance 4 Adrian Lopez, who glanced his header across the face of goal.
Diego was unable 2 make clean contact aft another high-tempo move but Atletico got their reward in the 7th minute.
Falcao bided his time on the ball in the right of the penalty area, worked a yard of space & curled a magnificent left-footed effort inside the far post.
Fernando Llorente headed Ander Herrera's free-kick wide, while being manhandled by Diego Godin, & was then 2 early on Markel Susaeta's cross & scuffed his volley wide.
Herrera was perhaps lucky only 2 be booked aft hacking down Diego 2-footed just outside the box.
Iker Muniain's long-range shot @ the other end, having been gifted possession, was well saved by on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
But Falcao doubled Atletico's lead in the 34th minute. Fernando Amorebieta dwelt terribly on the ball & lost possession on the edge of the box &, fr Arda's cutback, Falcao brilliantly turned Jon Aurtenetxe & lashed home.
He then curled a right-foot effort high over the bar as half-time brought welcome respite for Bilbao.
Bielsa made a double-change @ half-time, Ibai Gomez & Inigo Perez replacing Iturraspe & Aurtenetxe.
And his side started more brightly, Andoni Iraola playing in Muniain whose cross was cleared behind by Joao Miranda. Javi Martinez headed Ibai's corner over.
Diego fired just wide of Gorka Iraizoz's near post & a deflection robbed Gabi Fernandez's shot of its pace.
Perez's free-kick, swung in fr 40 yards, almost caught out Courtois, who had 2 tip the ball around the post & Llorente was crowded out aft failing 2 control the ball in the Atletico box.
Adrian curled wide b4 Amorebieta was booked 4 a nasty challenge on Falcao.
Miranda awkwardly diverted Ibai's cross behind but the corner came 2 nothing. Iraola's cross then narrowly eluded Llorente b4 Ibai hammered a follow-up volley just over.
Ibai brilliantly worked his way into the box but his cross was palmed away by Courtois & De Marcos spooned the rebound over.
Perez was booked 4 cynically chopping down Adrian & Gabi smashed a poor free-kick in2 the wall.
Susaeta's fierce left-foot drive deflected wide off Miranda & @ the other end, Arda wasted some neat interplay with an overly audacious chip which Iraizoz easily fielded.
Coutois preserved Atletico's 2-goal margin 1s more, saving fr Susaeta aft substitute Gaizka Toquero's shot was blocked by a defender.
Falcao danced past Javi Martinez but Amorebieta got back 2 deflect his shot on 2 the post.
Ibai took an air-shot @ Toquero's cross b4 Diego put the game 2 bed.
The Brazilian took on Toquero & Amorebieta b4 firing low across Iraizoz. As Atletico celebrated, their opponents' despair was summed up by the sight of Muniain sprawled full-length on the ground in tears.
Ibai's long-range drive skimmed the crossbar in the closing 2nds but there was no way back 4 Athletic.