After a 1-1 draw in the Europa League final in Seville on Wednesday, Eintracht Frankfurt won their first European championship in 42 years with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory against Rangers.
The team of Oliver Glasner reached its first European final since defeating Borussia Monchengladbach in the 1980 edition.
Joe Aribo took advantage of some sloppy defence in the 57th minute to put them down.
However, 12 minutes later, the Bundesliga side forced extra time at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan thanks to Rafael Borre’s close-range strike.
Borre was the hero in the shoot-out as well, the Colombian slamming home the decisive spot-kick after Aaron Ramsey had seen his penalty saved by Kevin Trapp. The latter had brilliantly denied Ryan Kent late in extra time.
Allan McGregor denied Daichi Kamada from a tight angle inside the opening 15 minutes before the Rangers goalkeeper superbly tipped Ansgar Knauff’s effort from 15 yards past his left-hand post.
Aribo whipped past the upright from 25 yards shortly after the first half’s midway point.
While Filip Kostic dragged wide after running almost the entire pitch length.
Rangers looked the more threatening side as the first half wore on, with Trapp tipping over John Lundstram’s looping header and Ryan Jack lashing over from a promising position before the interval.
Jesper Lindstrom went close immediately after the break before Aribo put the Scottish side ahead with an excellent finish past Trapp after latching onto Djibril Sow’s backwards header, the Nigeria international benefitting from a slip by Tuta.
Eintracht restored parity in the 69th minute, though, when Borre stole ahead of Calvin Bassey to prod home Kostic’s superb left-wing cross.
Trapp made a remarkable point-blank save from Kent with two remaining extra times.
After a string of superb efforts, Ramsey, who was brought on with just three minutes remaining, saw his tame spot-kick kept out by Trapp, setting the stage for Borre to slot home from 12 yards and send the travelling Eintracht fans into raptures.
What does it mean? Eintracht prolonged Rangers’ European agony.
Eintracht becomes the first German team to win the Europa League since Schalke in the 1996-97 season.
Frankfurt is the third club to start the season in the UEL group stage and lift the trophy undefeated.
Previously only Villarreal in 2020-21 and Chelsea in 2018-19 had done so.
Meanwhile, the Rangers’ long wait for a European trophy goes on.
Rangers suffered defeat in the final of the same competition to Zenit in the 2007-08 season.
Last tasted success in Europe back in 1972 when they won the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Borre continues Colombia’s streak.
Borre’s predatory strike was the sixth goal scored by a Colombian in the Europa League final.
With players from no other nation scoring more at that competition stage (Spain, also six).
The striker also showed nerves of steel to power home the deciding penalty.
Kent’s agonising miss.
Kent will have nightmares about his miss deep into extra time.
Substitute Kemar Roofe slid an excellent cross into his path.
But the winger could not force the ball past Trapp from six yards out.
European titles are decided on such acceptable margins.
Likewise, for more football news like this, click here.