Rangers led through Joe Aribo but Rafael Santos Borré equalised, then scored the winning penalty after Aaron Ramsey missed
Borré steps up – and drills his penalty into the top corner! A roar erupts from the other end of the ground. Eintracht Frankfurt are Europa League champions! Borré has tears in his eyes as his teammates pile on to him by the corner flag. They didn’t put a foot wrong in the shootout – but what a cruel way for Rangers’ dream to come to an end.
Time to sign off; I’ll leave you with Sid Lowe’s match report. Thanks for joining me and for all your tweets and emails. Auf wiedersehen!
Rafael Borré stood alone in front of a sea of blue. All that and it came to this. One shot to secure Eintracht Frankfurt’s first European trophy in 42 years. The forward ran up and struck the ball into the net, beyond Allan McGregor, to win a dramatic penalty shootout and send the supporters in white at the other end of the ground wild. Rangers’ fans meanwhile, fell silent for the first time: 50 years they had waited for a European trophy; who knows how much longer they will have to wait for another chance.
A 1-1 draw, a glorious 118th-minute chance, saved by Kevin Trapp, and it had gone to penalties. Aaron Ramsey had been sent on to take one, only to watch it saved by the Eintracht keeper. It had been a crazy ride, and now it was over in the cruellest way. So close, but defeated at the last. A long, hot, wild evening finally turning away from them.
Here are the post-game thoughts of the Rangers manager, Giovanni van Bronckhorst: “Of course I’m very disappointed. You play the final, you’re very close – but when you don’t win, you go from high to very low. I’ve had those moments in my career, it hurts. We have to look ahead – it feels difficult now – but we have to get ready for Hearts on Saturday.
“I said to the players, ‘we came so far, we deserved it’. I’m very proud of them; we gave everything, today as well. The emotions are very down, but we have to change that quickly ... we showed today [we deserve to be here], but next year we have to start again. We start from zero, and will work hard to get silverware next season.
Here is the moment Eintracht Frankfurt lifted their first European trophy for 42 years ...
The moment everyone associated with Eintracht Frankfurt has dreamt of! 🏆
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 18, 2022
The Eagles are flying! 🤍#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/9eBooIIFVN
Imagine no longer – here is some post-game footage. Quite the party at the Deutsche Bank Park tonight.
JAAAAAAAAAAAAAA #SGE #SGEuropa #SGERFC pic.twitter.com/YS3NaiUpAQ
— Christoph Voigt (@Spucktier) May 18, 2022
Sebastian Rode collects the Uefa Cup, joins his teammates on the Uefa standard-issue ceremonial plinth, and hoists the historic trophy high into the air. One can only imagine the scenes back in Frankfurt, where the club’s home ground is packed out with fans.
Frankfurt fans celebrating their equaliser back at the Deutsche Bank Park 👏#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/YMURdSIndw
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 18, 2022
On the other hand, this is ultimately Eintracht Frankfurt’s night – they bounced back from going behind, and were faultless in the penalty shootout. It’s a tough, tough way to lose a major final – but it’s not a lottery.
Eintracht are the first German team to win this trophy since Schalke in 1997, to deliver the club’s biggest night since 1980. They went through the tournament unbeaten, and have earned their place in next season’s Champions League group stages.
A lot of Rangers fans have headed for the exits, but those who remain are applauding the players as they go up to collect their runner-up medals. I really feel for them – they were the better team over the 120 minutes, and had a golden chance to score a winner at the death.
Steven Davis: “It’s a huge disappointment, but at the same time I couldn’t be more proud of the team and the fans for getting here. We know how difficult it is to get here, and we left everything out on the pitch. It’s a sore one to take – but I just want to say thank you to the fans, it’s been an incredible journey. We have another final on Saturday [the Scottish Cup v Hearts] but it’ll take some time to get over.”
“We’re so disappointed to lose like that,” says John Lundstram. “Penalties are a lottery, anyone can miss – but we feel like we’ve let all the fans down, who have come out here to support us. We’re so, so, so heartbroken. I thought we were the ones pushing for the goal in extra time.” He is clearly completely devastated, it’s hard to watch.
“Does this strategy of bringing someone on just to score a penalty in a shootout ever work?” asks Patrick Crumlish. I’m sure it has worked, but it just feels like a bad idea to me, expecting a player to step off the bench in the middle of an epic battle like that.
Borré steps up – and drills his penalty into the top corner! A roar erupts from the other end of the ground. Eintracht Frankfurt are Europa League champions! Borré has tears in his eyes as his teammates pile on to him by the corner flag. They didn’t put a foot wrong in the shootout – but what a cruel way for Rangers’ dream to come to an end.
Eintracht Frankfurt 4-4 Rangers: Roofe scores! In off the post, and Rangers stay alive. But Rafael Santos Borré will have the chance to win it for Eintracht ...
Eintracht Frankfurt 4-3 Rangers: Kostic scores! McGregor goes the right way but it’s right in the bottom corner, almost unstoppable – and now Kemar Roofe has to score!
Eintracht Frankfurt 3-3 Rangers: It’s a poor effort, down the middle and saved by Trapp – and it’s advantage Eintracht ...
Eintracht Frankfurt 3-3 Rangers: Kamada scores! Kamada belts the ball in off the post ... now it’s Aaron Ramsey’s turn ...
Eintracht Frankfurt 2-3 Rangers: Arfield scores! Scott Arfield is up next ... Trapp goes the right way but can’t get a glove on his effort, whipped into the left corner!
Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Rangers: Hrustic scores! The substitute looks nervous, but sends McGregor the wrong way, tucking his effort inside the post!
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Rangers: Davis scores! Steven Davis steps up and fires into the roof of the net ...
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers: Lenz scores! The centre-back is booed and whistled as he waits, but tucks the ball into the corner.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Rangers: Tavernier scores! No messing from the Gers captain, who grabs the ball, marches down to the spot, takes a one-foot run-up and slots down the middle!
Both managers are on the pitch for a chat with the referee before the penalty shootout. The captains stay for the coin-toss – and Tavernier wins it. The penalties will be taken in front of the Rangers fans, and their team will go first ...
“I hope that late change won’t end up being a Fashion faux pas for Rangers,” honks Peter Oh.
We’re going to penalties!
120 mins (ET): Not quite – his effort gets up and over the ball, but lacks the pace to beat Trapp, who saves at his near post! And time is up ...
119 mins (ET): Now Rangers have a free kick, 20 yards out, to the right of goal. James Tavernier is over it. Is this the moment?
118 mins (ET): WHAT A CHANCE FOR RANGERS! How have they not scored here? Roofe charges down the right, looks up and crosses low for Kent, who will surely tap in ... but Kevin Trapp makes a miraculous save! From the rebound, Davis aims for the top corner, but Jakic gets his head to it and the ball flies a few inches over!
117 mins (ET): Another change with penalties in mind – here comes Aaron Ramsey! The unfortunate player hauled off is Fashion Sakala, who has only been on since the 74th minute.
116 mins (ET): Both sets of players look absolutely shattered now, and who can blame them? Borna Barisic is hurt and unable to continue – and Kemar Roofe is on to replace him ...
114 mins (ET): At the other end, it’s Jakic’s turn to line up a long-range effort – and this one has the keeper worried as it swerves in the air, zipping just over the bar!
112 mins (ET): Ryan Kent is teed up by Lundstram and has a shot from 30 yards, which is well struck but comfortable enough for Trapp ...
110 mins (ET): Knauff slaloms in from the right, but slips as he shoots. The ball deflects wide to Kostic, and from the delivery, Kamada goes down under pressure from Bassey. There wasn’t a lot in that, and the referee isn’t interested.
107 mins (ET): At the other end, substitute Hrustic almost makes an immediate impact, dragging his shot just wide of the far post with McGregor on his heels.
106 mins (ET): Straight from the kick-off, Barisic gets forward and strikes at goal, with Trapp awkwardly palming the ball down before collecting.
Here we go. Djibril Sow is off for Eintracht, replaced by Ajdin Hrustic.
I think the German commentators said that two Frankfurt fans has fallen down from the stand. Do you know anything about this?
— Gitte (@mumShield) May 18, 2022
There has been no mention of this on my feed, but if I hear any news, I will pass it on. Hope anyone involved in the incident is OK.
We’re fifteen minutes away from a penalty shootout, but the game is stretched enough that a winner doesn’t feel totally implausible either. Don’t go anywhere!
104 mins: To borrow a phrase just used on BT’s commentary, the referee has been consistent – he’s consistently refused to give yellow cards for yellow-card offences.
103 mins (ET): Knauff’s attempted chip through to Hauge bobbles off Bassey’s elbow but even Eintracht’s penalty appeals look tired now. Sakala relieves the pressure well, flicking the ball past Lenz and forcing the defender to drag him down. No booking.
102 mins (ET): Steven Davis runs on to Arfield’s cut back, but his shot from the edge of the area is closed down.
100 mins (ET): A change for each side as we hit triple figures. N’Dicka is replaced by Christopher Lenz at centre-back, while Van Bronckhorst sends James Sands on. He replaces the goalscorer, Joe Aribo, in a move that suggests a shift to a back three.