Eintracht Frankfurt won the Europa League final after holding their nerve to beat Glasgow Rangers 5-4 in a clinical penalty kicks shootout on Wednesday in Seville.
The win helped the German side to claim their first European trophy in 42 years.
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Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper, Kevin Trapp, saved Aaron Ramsey’s penalty kick – Rangers’ fourth – while Eintracht Frankfurt were flawless in their execution.
They scored all their five kicks after the game had finished 1-1 following 120 minutes of play.
Super Eagles’ midfielder, Joe Aribo, had struck against the run of play in the 57th minute to give Rangers the lead.
He charged clear after a string of defensive errors and slid the ball past Trapp.
The Germans, unbeaten in the competition going into the final match and eyeing their first European title since 1980, bounced back.
Rafael Borre snuck in between two defenders to turn in a Filip Kostic’s cross in the 70th minute.
“We played 13 matches in Europe and we did not lose a single one,” said Eintracht coach, Oliver Glasner.
“We took it step-by-step and at the end we were rewarded. I have no words to express what I feel for the players,” added the Austrian.
His side will now compete in next season’s UEFA Champions League in spite of finishing in 11th place in the Bundesliga.
Eintracht Frankfurt are the first Bundesliga team to win the Europa League, or its predecessor the UEFA Cup, since 1997 when Schalke 04 beat Inter Milan on penalty kicks.
Rangers had ended extra-time the stronger side, but two brilliant saves from man-of-the-match Trapp ensured the game went to the shootout.
That was where the superb technique and mental strength of the Germans won it. (Reuters/NAN)
