Eintracht Frankfurt overcame Rangers 5-4 on penalties to win the Europa League on Wednesday after the final in Seville drew 1-1 after extra time.
Aaron Ramsey failed for the Rangers in the shoot-out after coming in as a replacement with just three minutes left of spare time before Rafael Borre scored the winning shot to secure Frankfurt’s miraculous success.
“We shall rejoice immediately for the next several days,” stated Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner. Borre was the star of the night, having already cancelled Joe Aribo’s opening for Rangers as Frankfurt won their first European championship since 1980 and sealed their spot in next season’s Champions League group stage.
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“I dreamt of a great night for the club today, a historic night for myself,” said Borre, the Colombian. “It’s my first European championship. I shall remember this memory forever.”
“We are all heroes. We wouldn’t have made it without the supporters,” stated Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
Both teams sought to capture a second European trophy in their history, Rangers after winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1972 and Frankfurt after claiming the UEFA Cup 42 years earlier.
But Rangers fell up just short after a remarkable journey to the final. Only 10 years ago this week, Rangers collapsed into administration before being dissolved and demoted to Scotland’s basement league.
Frankfurt had previously defeated True Betis, Barcelona, and West Ham United on route to the final, and they were undoubtedly worthy victors, winning a thrilling encounter that always looked to lack absolute technical excellence.
With a little under 43,000, Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan arena was never going to be large enough to host all the travelling supporters, with Rangers coming over an estimated 100,000. At the same time, about 60,000 accompanied Frankfurt to Spain.
The great majority enjoyed the day in good spirits. Still, security fears were not unwarranted, with clashes breaking out in the city centre throughout the day on Wednesday.
At the same time, five German fans were detained late Tuesday after police alleged 200 Frankfurt fans launched an assault on Rangers supporters.
It was a scrappy first 15 minutes as Joe Aribo nearly got away after a beautiful pirouette by Scott Wright before John Lundstram scraped his studs down the dipping head of Sebastian Rode, leaving the Frankfurt captain with a bloodied jersey that had to be replaced and a head that had to be strapped.
The Germans eventually gained control, smothering Rangers, who were limited to speculative punts forward to attempt to escape the press.
Pressure mounting
Frankfurt’s Ansgar Knauff went near, the penalty box opening up for the winger after a long move forward, only for Allan McGregor to tip wide.
Rangers had their opportunities and improved before the interval as Lundstram’s header had to be pushed over, and Ryan Jack drove too high.
Frankfurt felt revitalised for the start of the second half, but Rangers seized the lead just before the hour, capitalising on two horrible Frankfurt blunders, one exacerbating the other.
First, Djibril Sow misread a header in midfield, sending it back behind his defenders for the quick Aribo to grasp onto, and then when Frankfurt’s Tutu followed, he stumbled, leaving an open path to the striker, who tapped home.
However, Eintracht pulled parity in the 69th minute when Filip Kostic was allowed too much room out wide to cross, and then in the midfield, Connor Goldson and Calvin Bassey both hesitated to clear. Borre nipped between them and prodded in.
There were few chances in the last minutes, yet the battle grew prolonged in extra time.
The rangers may have won it in the 118th minute as the dashing Ryan Kent appeared at the back post only for Trapp to make a stunning stop.
To penalties, and the Rangers supporters shouted as the coin toss placed the shoot-out at their end. James Tavernier, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield all scored for Rangers, as did Frankfurt’s Christopher Lenz, Ajdin Hrustic and Daichi Kamada, whose shot squeezed in off the post.
But Ramsey struck too direct, striking Trapp’s left foot, and after Kostic and Kemar Roofe converted, it was up to Borre to complete it. He made no mistake.
