Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 (5-4 on pens) Rangers
Eintracht Frankfurt are Europa League champions for the second time in their history after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Rangers in Seville.
Rangers had taken the lead just before the hour mark as Joe Aribo capitalised on a Frankfurt defensive error. But the Eagles equalised through Rafael Borre in the 69th minute to force extra time and eventually, penalties.
Unfortunately, it was Rangers’ star substitute Aaron Ramsey who missed the decisive penalty, while Borre converted the final spot kick to complete the Frankfurt fairy tale.
Read on below as SBOTOP recaps all the drama that went down in the 2022 Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers.
Highlights of the game
Eintracht Frankfurt were on the front foot early on, and they got the first real chance of the final on 12 minutes. Daichi Kamada somehow got through a couple of Rangers defenders, but Gers goalkeeper Allan McGregor came out to smother the shot.
The ball eventually broke to midfielder Djibril Sow at the edge of the box, but his curling effort was comfortably caught by McGregor.
McGregor was called upon to make another crucial save on 20 minutes to deny Frankfurt wing-back Ansgar Knauff.
It took Rangers until the 26th minute to register their first shot of the match. Joe Aribo turned quickly and shot from distance, which sent Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp flying, but the shot went just wide.
Frankfurt remained in command for majority of the first half. Danger man Filip Kostic got a couple of chances on goal, although neither threatened McGregor too much.
Into the second half, Frankfurt came close to the breakthrough goal as Lindstrom’s shot took a deflection and just whistled wide.
A defensive miscue from Knauff gave the Gers a good chance on 55 minutes, but Ryan Kent failed to hit the target.
However, Frankfurt committed another grave error just moments later, and this time it cost them dearly. Tuta’s untimely tumble allowed Aribo an opening on goal, and the Rangers striker took his chance expertly as he slotted past Trapp.
Frankfurt had a glorious chance to equalise on 67 minutes as Rangers’ own defensive miscue, forced by Eintracht’s excellent pressing, allowed Kamada through on goal. But the Japanese international’s attempted lob ballooned well over the bar.
Frankfurt would find themselves level just minutes later, though. Kostic’s hopeful cross into the box found Borre, who got ahead of his marker and poked the ball past McGregor in the Gers keeper’s near post.
After an uneventful extra time, it was on to penalties. Both teams were perfect after the first three rounds. But then stepped former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey, who came on three minutes from the end of extra-time, presumably in preparation for penalties. Unfortunately, the Welshman’s kick was wayward as Kevin Trapp made the crucial stop with his legs.
Kostic and Rangers substitute Kemar Roofe both converted the next two penalties, which left Borre with the chance to seal the title for Frankfurt with the final kick. And the Colombian did so in style as he fired the ball into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations from the Eintracht Frankfurt faithful.
Key statistics
While the Europa League 2022 betting odds for this final were quite close, Eintracht Frankfurt looked like the better team and were worthy winners. The Germans finished with a significant 22-14 edge in shots over Rangers, although the Scottish side still finished with more shots on target (6-4).
Borre, who came into the final in fantastic form, once again made Europa League 2022 highlights with his crucial contributions. The 26-year-old finished the season scoring in Frankfurt’s last three games and had three goals and assist in Frankfurt’s last four Europa League matches.
Frankfurt have now won the UEFA Cup/Europa League twice, with their first title coming in 1980. They also became the first German side to win the competition since Schalke claimed the title in 1997.
Frankfurt also became just the third club – after Chelsea in 2018-19 and Villarreal in 2020-21 – to start the Europa League in the group stage and win the title without suffering a single defeat. They went unbeaten in 13 matches, with seven wins and six draws.
What’s next?
With their Europa League victory, Eintracht Frankfurt will now be heading to the Champions League for the first time since 1960, when they famously made the final but lost to Real Madrid, 7-3.
As for Rangers, they must pick themselves up from their Europa League final disappointment as they face Hearts in the Scottish Cup final in a few days’ time. Rangers will be playing in their first Scottish Cup final since 2016, when they lost 3-2 to Hibernian. The Gers haven’t won the cup since 2009.
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