RANGERS have suffered penalty shootout heartbreak as the Germans came up trumps from the spot once again.
In a game of few chances, makeshift striker Joe Aribo pounced on a defensive error to give the Gers the lead in Seville.
But Rafael Santos Borre poked home from close range to level for the Germans and force extra time.
Ryan Kent had the chance to win the Europa League trophy with seconds left but a world class save from point blank range from Kevin Trapp denied him.
And that meant a penalty shootout.
After some brilliant spot kicks, Aaron Ramsey saw his penalty saved by Trapp as the Germans scored five out of five to win the trophy.
Ex-players show their support
Former Rangers striker, Marco Negri has offered his condolences to the Rangers players after the game.
A contrast of emotions
A nail-biting finish to an enthralling contest that went right to the wire.
Football can be so cruel, and that’s exactly why we love it!
.Credit: Getty .Credit: Reuters A brutal end
How many times have we seen managers bring on players just for a penalty shoot-out. I find it a strange tactic, but it happened again this evening with Aaron Ramsey. Rangers’ big-name signing came on in the 117th minute. Having barely kicked a ball, he stepped up to take, and miss, penalty number four. The Welshman will carry that burden for a little while yet.
But in truth, it had to be someone.
.Credit: PA
Kent’s golden opportunity
Rangers came ‘that’ close to winning it in extra time. Kemar Roofe slid the ball across the box to Ryan Kent in the 120th minute. But with the whole goal to aim at, Kevin Trapp came out on top, denying the 25-year-old from point blank range.
The German goalkeeper put on a hell of a show this evening.
.Credit: Reuters 62 years of hurt
Frankfurt are back in the big time and will play Champions League football for the first time since 1960.
That year, when it was still called the European Cup, they interestingly beat Rangers in the semi-final, with a whopping 12-4 aggregate win.
However they were downed 7-3 in the final by Real Madrid, who have enjoyed rather more European success in the six decades since.
All is not lost
Rangers may have lost the Europa League final but they still have a chance of securing Champions League football.
The Gers will now have to go through the non-champions qualifying path.
And as a result of all Russian teams being expelled, they will enter the tournament at the third qualifying round rather than the second qualifying round.
That means they are guaranteed Europa League football even if they lose in qualifying.
The match-winner
Borre stole in to level the scores in the second half.
He then scored the final penalty to win it for his side.
Frankfurt’s saving grace.
.Credit: Getty Caught in a Trapp
Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was the hero tonight for the German side with a point black save from Ryan Kent and a penalty save from Aaron Ramsey.
And nobody will be more delighted than his biggest fan, fiancee Izabel Goulart.
The former Victoria’s Secret lingerie model is a regular at his games with Frankfurt and was seen sharing a kiss with him after their wins over Barcelona and West Ham.
In 2018, she even bragged that the couple make love five times a week, which can leave him tired for matches.
Kevin Trapp kissing fiancee Izabel Goulart after Frankfurt’s win over West Ham A devastated Lundstram has his say:
We’re so disappointed to lose like that. Penalties are a lottery, it could have been any one of us who missed. We feel like we’ve let the fans down who have come here to support us. We’re so, so heartbroken.
John Lundstram, Rangers midfielder
Rangers heartbroken
The Rangers players are still on the pitch, the fans are still in their seats, staring blankly into space.
It’s a brutal end to an otherwise brilliant European run.
.Credit: Reuters Frankfurt win on penalties
Frankfurt have done it in the most dramatic style.
There are huge celebrations amongst the Frankfurt players and plenty of tears amongst the Rangers fans. They gave everything.
FRANKFURT WIN THE EUROPA LEAGUE – Frankfurt 5-4 Rangers
Borre scores and Eintracht Frankfurt are champions!
.Credit: AFP Frankfurt 4-4 Rangers
Roofe does score!
In off the post.
All up to McGregor…
Frankfurt 4-3 Rangers
Kostic buries it!
McGregor gets a finger to it but there is too much power behind it.
Rangers have to score now…
Frankfurt 3-3 Rangers
Trapp saves!
Ramsey goes down the middle and Trapp is equal to it.
Advantage Frankfurt.
.Credit: Reuters
Frankfurt 3-3 Rangers
Kamada with the best of the lot, curling it in off the post.
McGregor went the wrong way, but no keeper was getting near that.
Frankfurt 2-3 Rangers
Arfield fires the ball past Trapp!
Frankfurt 2-2 Rangers
Hrustic rolls the ball into the bottom corner, sending McGregor the wrong way.
Great penalties so far.
Frankfurt 1-2 Rangers
Davis puts it in the top corner!
Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
Lenz outs it away before shushing the Rangers fans.
Nerves of steel.
Frankfurt 0-1 Rangers
Tavernier slots it home!
Captain leading by example.
Penalties
Rangers will be taking their penalties towards their fans. Good news for them, less so for Frankfurt
Tavernier will take first.
Full time of extra time
It’s penalties, folks.
Strap in.
Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
120, Oh so close!
He gets it up and over the wall, but there isn’t enough power, and Trapp can get across to save it easily enough.
Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
119, Jakic trips Davis on the edge of the area.
Tavernier is lining it up…
He couldn’t, could he?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
