Atletico Madrid were officially crowned as the Europa League kings after they registered a comfortable 3-0 victory over their Spanish counterparts Athletic Bilbao at the National Arena in Bucharest, Romania.

Colombian sensation Radamel Falcao's two early strikes, which made him the winner of the golden boot for this competition, along with Brazilian midfielder Diego goal late in the game saw Atletico Madrid win their second Europa League title in three years.

Atletico, who started attacking right from the beginning, got a very early lead at the 7<sup>th minute of the game, when Falcao found the nets off an excellent left-footed striker off a Diego assist.

Bilbao tried to get back from a set piece situation (free kick) but striker Fernando Llorente, who was being challenged by Diego Godin, headed the ball wide after coming in too early to Markel Susaeta's cross.

At the 24<sup>th minute the Basque Lions finally managed a shot on target through striker Iker Muniain, who fired a dangerously accurate long range shot from quite a distance. Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (on loan from Chelsea) was able to keep the shot out with an impressive save.

Although, Bilbao was the team was pressing on for an equaliser, it was Atletico who doubled their lead at the 34<sup>th minute, when Falcao again found the nets via an assist by Turkish defender Arda Turan.

At the dying minutes of the first half Falcao got a chance to put his three up. He only managed to sky the ball high over the crossbar.

Europa League Finals Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid
Europa League Finals Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid Reuters

At the start of the second half, the Basque Lions appeared to be a little more relaxed (despite being two down) as they dominated possession and started stringing a lot of passes together.

Javi Martinez missed a very good chance in the 47<sup>th minute, when he headed an effort high and wide after receiving a good cross from Ibai Gómez.

Five minutes later, at the other end, Diego went very close to scoring off a Miranda assist but he was unable to find the target because of the tight angle.

The Basque Lions continued to press on but Atletico had no intention of giving up their lead.

Finally, at the 89<sup>th minute, Diego sealed the fate of Marcelo Bielsa's side, when he got a third for Atletico via an excellent strike off a Gabi assist.