It was Steve McClaren's final game in charge at Middlesbrough before taking over as England coach, but it ended on a disappointing note - although the four-goal margin was harsh on Boro as they went in search of an equaliser at 1-0 down and inevitably left holes at the back.

Luis Fabiano put Sevilla deservedly in front after 26 minutes, rising above Chris Riggott to head Alves' cross past the stranded Mark Schwarzer, who was playing with a protective mask folowing his cheek fracture.

Mark Viduka had Boro's best chance brilliantly saved by Andres Palop. And Viduka had a very strong shout for a penalty turned down when he was pushed in the back by Navarro in the area. A penalty converted at that point would have made it 1-1.

Instead Enzo Maresca scored from close range after 78 minutes. Jesus Navas played in Fredi Kanoute, Schwarzer parried his shot, and Maresca swept the loose ball into the net.

And with Middlesbrough looking ragged at the back, Maresca thumped a low shot past Schwarzer from 20 yards out.

Kanoute added a fourth two minutes later when Schwarzer parried Maresca's effort as Sevilla threatened to run riot.

Afterwards McClaren, Boro boss for the last time, cited a poor decision by the referee, saying:

"I'm proud of my players, I can't criticise them as we went out to decisions that didn't go our way.

"They [Sevilla] are a very good side and caused us problems, but we didn't play with the same freedom and weren't as relaxed as we have been in previous rounds.

"It was a stonewall penalty, it was a clear push and everyone in the stadium was waiting for it but it didn't come."

However, Sevilla wrre superb, and McClaren acknowledged that defeat was not solely due to one dubious decision from the officials.

"We lost because we didn't score and didn't take our chances. Sevilla are a quality side, everybody saw that tonight. They can score goals through you, round you and over you.

"I'm leaving behind a team that's capable of achieving, with a great chairman to back it and with the resources to go forward.

"It's a side with a lot of young talent mixed with some good experienced players.

"I've left a platform for what can be achieved and they have the backing of the chairman to go on and succeed."

Boro aptain Gareth Southgate praised Sevilla's players and acknowledged that the Spanish side were worthy winners.

He said: "All credit to Sevilla, they were the better team on the night.

"They are a class side and they fully deserve their victory.

"We pushed forward a lot and left ourselves open at the back and once they got the first goal we were always chasing and it was always going to be difficult.

"We wanted to give the fans one last good night but we have to push on from here."

Club chairman Steve Gibson said he was proud of his side's journey through the tournament and also accepted that the better side won on the night.

"I have no complaints, we were beaten by a better side.

"We have had a great year and a great run but unfortunately we couldn't continue it.

"We'll take it on the chin, dust ourselves down and get on with it."

Striker Mark Viduka felt that his missed chance, that would have put Boro level, could have changed the outcome of the match.

He said: "If I had put my chance away at 1-0 we might have had a good chance. It was definitely a turning point.

"I thought that we could go all the way, we are all hurting now but later on we'll look back on this and realise what we have achieved."

Ecstatic Sevilla striker Fredi Kanoute said: "Middlesbrough have done very well in Europe, but we were better and I'm very happy.

"We were prepared for them to throw on strikers because they have done it before, but this is wonderful and I can't believe it.

"We've been prepared for them playing four strikers, because we know they have had a few games like this."

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido said: "We've won nothing since 1948 and now we're Uefa Cup champions.

"Today I am the proudest man in the world. The best is yet to come for this club.

"Now we hope that Barcelona beat Arsenal so we can play them in the European Super Cup in Monaco."

Enzo Maresca, whose two goals played a key part in the vixtory, said: "For the fans and at least half of the city of Seville this will be a great day of celebration.

"We have achieved something very important.

"It was a perfect day. I think we deserve it and so do the fans. It is important that they enjoy this moment."