Europa League: Always expect the unexpected

The UEFA Europa League is one of the most unpredictable competitions in European football.

Insane comebacks, shock results, wonder goals, heartbreak: This is a tournament that thrills with the unpredictable. From the sensational debut of Marcus Rashford to two dark horses reaching last year's final via André Villas-Boas taking Porto all the way in only his second season as head coach. Every year, the Europa League delivers something you just never saw coming.

In celebration of this, we'll be sharing some of the greatest unexpected moments in Europa League history, past and present.

There's the remarkable Tottenham vs Asteras game in 2014, where Harry Kane scored a hat-trick then had to play in goal after Hugo Lloris had been sent off because Spurs had made all their substitutions.

In a penalty shoot-out like no other, Gerónimo Rulli sealed Villarreal's first-ever European trophy, by not only scoring their 11th spot kick, but getting back on his goal line and saving David de Gea's effort.

A competition that brings us thrills and drama, with goals that can be scored from anywhere, whether it's Pedro Gonçalves' stunner from this season's round of 16 as Sporting CP secured a famous win on penalties against Arsenal, Kemar Roofe's unbelievable strike in a rain-soaked Antwerp, or Jonathan Soriano silencing the Johan Cruijff ArenA from the halfway line.

We'll showcase some of the best young players to play in the Europa League. This is a competition where youth gets a chance – and you'd be surprised to see who made their name in it. Rashford at Man United, Sadio Mané at Salzburg, Radamel Falcao at Porto, Bruno Fernandes at Sporting CP, Kevin De Bruyne at Wolfsburg – the list goes on.

And, of course, there's no better way to show that this is a competition where anything can happen than showing the unexpected story of 2021/22 winners, Eintracht Frankfurt.