Rangers’ hopes for Europa League fame ended in misery in penalties when Eintracht Frankfurt secured the trophy in Seville.
The Ibrox team dreamed of lifting a European trophy for only the second time in the club’s history, but this is the name of the Bundesliga team inscribed on this year’s trophy after the match ended 1-1 after extra time.
Joe Aribo sent Rangers to the land of dreams in the 57th minute when his shot crawled over the line and opened the scoring at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
Rafael Santos Bore scored an equalizer for Frankfurt 12 minutes later after a mistake by Connor Goldson, sending the match into overtime.
Both sides missed opportunities in the extra 30 minutes before reserve Aaron Ramsey missed his accurate shot and the German side did it all, as the Ibrox team failed, just as they did in 2008.
How did the shootout go …
- Tavernier scores, Lenz scores
- Davis scores, Khrustik scores
- Arfield scores, Kamada scores
- Ramsey’s penalty savedKostic notes
- Ruf scores, Bore scores
How the dreams of the Rangers Europa League ended in misery
Giovanni van Bronckhorst remained with the same starting triumph as his semi-final triumph over RB Leipzig’s Ibrox, while they wanted to secure the club’s first European trophy since 1972.
The first opportunity fell to the Bundesliga team when the Rangers lost the ball in midfield. Daichi Kamada overcame several challenges before Alan McGregor blocked his efforts at close range and quickly recovered to save Jibril Sow’s subsequent action.
Image: Scott Wright in action for Rangers
Frankfurt was determined and had to thank McGregor soon after, as he made a brilliant save to deny Ansgar Knauf.
However, Rangers recovered to create their first real chance after a wonderful pass from Scott Wright brought Aribo out of the penalty area, but the midfielder saw his shot drift just off the crossbar.
John Lundstram, the hero of the Rangers’ semi-final goals, made their first shot on target when his header was aimed at Borna Barsic’s free-kick crossbar.
Photo: Joe Aribo charged to give the Rangers the lead
Ryan Jack then had a chance to be a hero for the Ibrox team when the ball fell to him on the edge of the penalty area, but he sent it high over the crossbar.
It was Eintracht who continued to press after the break.
After McGregor was defeated, only a diversion from Calvin Bassi refused Jesper Lindström to open when his shot went inches away from the crossbar.
The German side was shouting for a penalty after Goldson came into contact with Bore on the border of the zone – a VAR check did not see a point kick.
Rangers then countered quickly as Tavernier stormed in from the right and sent the ball to Ryan Kent, who sent his effort into the stand.
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Rangers fans go crazy as Joe Aribo scores a goal to take them to Frankfurt in the Europa League final.
But then out of nowhere the Rangers found themselves in front.
Aribo threw himself on a misjudged header by Jibril Sow, chasing defender Tuta, then tripped, giving the midfielder a free kick to the door.
His shot crawled past Kevin Trapp in the gates of Frankfurt and sent thousands of Gers fans to the stadium in raptures.
Frankfurt did not give up and after a shot by Kamada hit the top of the net, Santos Bore equalized.
Goldson failed to clear the corner of Philip Kostic and the striker kicked the ball past McGregor.
With the outline of overtime, Kostic had a chance to win it for Frankfurt, but with too much force the ball flew past the far post.
Image: Jesper Lindström of Eintracht Frankfurt fights for possession with Brandon Barker of Rangers
Scott Arfield saw his efforts fly well at the start of overtime, then at the other end Bassi’s mistake allowed Bore to burst forward, but the Rangers defender recovered to clear the danger.
Bessie came to the rescue again shortly after, when he matched Knuaff for tempo to reduce the angle and force the winger to shoot wide.
Image: Over 100,000 Rangers fans traveled to Seville for the final
As players on both sides began to get tired, Kent tried a speculative long-range shot, but this did not pose a threat to the Frankfurt goalkeeper.
The Rangers then squandered a great chance to win in the dying minutes of overtime when Ruf’s perfect cross found Kent, but he only managed to shoot at Trapp at close range as the game went to penalties.
Tavernier, Stephen Davis and Arfield made no mistake before Ramsey sent his efforts into Trapp’s arms.
Rafael Bore then hit the decisive penalty at home to win the Europa League for Frankfurt and break the hearts of thousands of Rangers fans.
The Scottish Cup final will redirect players – Trevor Stephen
Image: Aaron Ramsey is comforted after his missed penalty
Former Rangers player Trevor Stephen watched the final for Sky Sports News:
“I don’t think the Rangers played in the best way, sometimes it was a war of attrition, but they could easily have won it in overtime.
“There were opportunities, but this is football. Ramsey will be chosen as the villain, but it was a brilliant effort in a brilliant journey.
“It’s so frustrating for the players to get here with the effort they put in.
“How do they regroup? The reality will start very quickly and as professionals they have to mentally return to Glasgow for the cup final and will be happy to have something else to focus their minds on.
“Ramsey looked a little hesitant when he took the penalty and didn’t hit it very well, and Trapp didn’t have to do much to save him. But nine out of 10 times Ramsey would score.
“But that experience and the trip helped get Scottish football back on the map.”
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