UEL: Eintracht Frankfurt win Europa League

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Eintracht Frankfurt 1 - 1 Rangers (Eintracht Frankfurt win 5-4 on penalties)

Rangers suffered a penalty shootout defeat in their fifth European final as Eintracht Frankfurt triumphed.

Rafael Borre put home the decisive spot-kick after Aaron Ramsey was denied just moments earlier in front of the Rangers fans at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Eintracht Frankfurt v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League Final 2021/22

Those same people had been euphoric when last season's Scottish champions took the lead through Joe Aribo's ice-cool second-half finish in Seville

However, Borre then created some incredible scenes in a jam-packed Eintracht end 12 minutes later as he steered in a soft equaliser to send this energy-sapping contest all the way.

Immediate reaction

The Rangers players crumpled to their feet as the 11th-placed side in the Bundesliga prevailed in the shootout, executing five composed penalties to claim their second European trophy and a place in next season's Champions League group stages.

With the Scottish Cup final in just three days, there will be little time for Van Bronckhorst's side to dwell.

Who said what?

Rangers captain James Tavernier spoke with BT Sport after the match: "I’m devastated. I’m proud of every single one of the lads, the club and the fans.

"We wanted to make everyone proud but we didn’t get over the line. To lose on penalties, it hurts. We went toe-to-toe with them.

"It gives us fuel to push us on, we want to be back in these finals and we have a massive game on Saturday."

One Rangers fan told us: "I thought it was meant to be. Sadly, I was wrong. WATP!"

This is how the newly crowned winners of the 2022 Europa League winners responded

Some interesting facts and statistics

Did you that this win allowed Eintracht Frankfurt to become the first German team to win the Uefa Cup/Europa League since Schalke in 1996-97?

This was Rangers first shootout defeat in Europe since the 1999-00 Uefa Cup v Borussia Dortmund in the round of 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Highlights, interview and more comment

As always, YouTube is a great source to watch the match again and catch up with more post match reaction. This video from BT Sport contains the full match. Did Rangers deserve more?

This video showcases some of the Eintracht Frankfurt celebrations. Any jealous Rangers fans might want to look away now.

How was the Europa League won? Click the link below to read lots of stories from the 2021/2022 competition. Enjoy!

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