Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers 5-4 on penalties to win their first European title in 42 years, after tying 1-1 in the final on Wednesday night.
Joe Aribo scored for Rangers early in the second half, but active player Rafael Buri tied the score 20 minutes before the end, forcing the match to go into extra time and then a penalty shootout.
Former Arsenal and Juventus star Aaron Ramsey missed the Scottish giants in the penalty shootout, as the Germans scored all of the penalties.
The first half was a quiet affair on both sides, although Frankfurt created much better chances than their rivals.
The Germans made their first chance when Daichi Kamada easily knocked the defense and jarred with the goalkeeper, but they failed to score with his low shot in the middle of the goal as Alan McGregor saved well.
Both teams had a number of opportunities to advance, but good defense and a desperate goalkeeping kept the score 0-0 before the break.
Then the match came back to life in the second half, as Frankfurt started in front – showing desire as well as the ability to attack and extend their opponents on the wings.
Frankfurt demanded a penalty in the 52nd minute when Bury fell from the Goldson challenge, but the referee waved play, with the VAR checking for the decision.
Ryan Kent missed a fantastic opportunity to give Rangers the lead in the 55th minute, firing wide after a near-perfect exit from Tavernier.
The first goal finally arrived just before the clock ticked, and it was Rangers who took the lead.
Trapp’s plate was headed toward the Frankfurt goal and Sue’s unintended cross put Aribeau in a foot race with Tota.
The Frankfurt man slipped, leaving the striker with only the goalkeeper to defeat him and he did so with confidence.
📸 The moment Joe Aribo put Rangers ahead in the Europa League final! ⚽️# ultimate pic.twitter.com/pNuk6Wc2LG
– #UELfinal (@EuropaLeague) May 18 2022
The goal caused the Germans to panic, which led to some poor decisions being made under pressure as Rangers took control of the match.
However, it was Frankfurt who carved out another opportunity as he grabbed their opponents as they tried to play from behind and Rudd fired the ball into Kamada, but McGregor quickly swerved off his line, and the striker shot the ball over him. And on the surface of the network.
Their perseverance finally paid off as they equalized 20 minutes from the end, with none other than Puri conceding the goal.
The striker reached the low end of Kosti’s ball from the left side, and stole between two Rangers defenders to push the ball past McGregor from close range.
The two teams battled for the remaining 20 minutes or so, but neither of them was able to find the winner, which led to extra time.
The two teams cannot be separated even after extra time, despite creating a number of chances.
Frankfurt scored all the penalties, while Rangers missed a penalty kick, ending their quest for European glory.
