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Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers 5-4 on penalties to claim their first Europa league trophy in over 40 years.
Frankfurt goalie Kevin Trapp made a crucial save against Aaron Ramseys penalty to put them in a winning position.
Eintracht forward Rafael Borre converted the winning penalty to secure the silverware for his side.
Rangers captain James Tavernier spoke following the game saying: “We know how much it meant for the players, fans, families, the club and we fell short”
“I’m proud of every single one of those lads in the dressing room”
This result means that Rangers will have to compete in the third round of next seasons Champions league qualifiers. They will have to overcome two other teams in the qualifiers over two legs if they wish to reach the group stage.
Eintracht Frankfurt will go straight into the champions league groups having won on the night. This is the first time they have qualified in 62 years. This is the longest gap before a return to the champions league in the history of the competition.
The first goal came when Joe Aribo found the bottom corner with a side footed strike on the 57th minute to put Rangers up 1-0 on the night.
The German side bounced back with an equaliser when Rafael Borre converted Filip Kostic cross on the 70th minute.
Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner spoke following the win saying: “We played thirteen matches in Europe and didn’t lose a single one”
“It was the last game of the season, an intense one and everyone squeezed all they had out of them. A great compliment to the players.”
In the packed-out Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium in Seville the match started off quickly despite the soaring temperatures. The first half saw half chances from Joe Aribo and Daichi Kamada with neither side able to give their side the advantage at the early stages.
Rangers started the second half quickly with James Tavernier pushing his team forward down the right flank. The first chance fell to Ryan Kent at the edge of the box who’s hurried shot was put wide.
Only a few minutes later Frankfurt defender Tuta slipped while running back to deal with the poor backwards header from Sow, leaving Aribo to compose himself and slot the first goal past Trapp.
Frankfurt responded urgently to going behind with a barrage of attacks on the Rangers goal before Kostic low cross found Borre to tap past McGregor and put his side level.
Both sides continued on forward at a fast pace but neither team could stop the tie from entering extra time.
There wasn’t much between the teams in the first half of extra time. Until a snapshot from Borna Barisic outside of Frankfurt’s box which was collected by Trapp.
Rangers ended extra time on the front foot with Trapp being called upon to make an important save to stop Ryan Kent from scoring a late winner.
When the match went to penalties it was a good showing from the players with only Ramsey being unable to convert from the spot. Ramsey put his penalty down the middle of the goal which was saved by the feet of Trapp.
Eintracht captain Sebastian Rode spoke following his sides victory saying: “It was a very tough road and there was so much at stake for us tonight.
“It was amazing what we done with this team and we deserved it. It was a great journey and we were rewarded.”
