Eintracht Frankfurt came from behind to send the Europa League final to penalties on Wednesday night, then going on to beat Rangers after a perfect performance in the shootout.
Nothing could separate the two teams after 90 minutes, nor after 120. The initial 90 ended 1-1 and no further goals were scored in extra time. In the shootout, Aaron Ramsey was the only of 10 players to miss.
A relatively cagey first half saw Frankfurt look the more settled of the two sides for the most part, though the Scots did improve towards the break.
Eintracht had the half’s best chance when Ansgar Knauff saw his attempt pushed wide by Allan McGregor. Rangers had a couple of their own, though, with Joe Aribo curling just wide and John Lundstram seeing his strike turned over the crossbar.
It was Rangers who found themselves in front before the hour mark. In a footrace with Aribo, Eintracht defender Tuta tripped over his own feet to leave the forward in on goal and he made no mistake in slotting home under pressure and in front of his own fans.
The Germans reacted and were well on top then. They missed a big chance to level before Rafael Borre did convert just 12 minutes after they had fallen behind, tapping in from close range as Rangers failed to clear a cross into their six-yard box.
From then it appeared that there would only be one winner if anybody was to come out on top in the 90 minutes, with the Bundesliga side dominating but failing to make their chances count.
The best chance in the additional 30 minutes fell the way of substitute Ryan Kent, but Kevin Trapp somehow denied him from inside three yards with an astonishing save. He also did well to deny a last-second James Tavernier freekick.
In the shootout Rangers went first and Tavernier scored, Christopher Lenz levelled. Steven Davis made it two from two for the Scottish side and Ajdin Hrustic made it 2-2.
Scott Arfield buried Rangers’ third despite Trapp going the right way, but Daichi Kamada bettered it with a sublime penalty to keep things locked level with a 100 percent record after six penalties in all.
Aaron Ramsey was the first to miss, with Trapp saving a poor penalty from the Welshman, and Filip Kostic made no mistake as he smashed an excellent spot kick into McGregor’s bottom corner.
Roofe took Rangers’ fifth kick, and his strike just sneaked in off the post. But Borre, having scored in the game, put it into the top corner.
