Eintracht Frankfurt are 2021/22 UEFA Europa League champions. - © DFL
Eintracht Frankfurt are 2021/22 UEFA Europa League champions. - © DFL
Eintracht Frankfurt win UEFA Europa League after penalty shootout win over Rangers
Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers on penalties to win the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League and reach next season’s Champions League on a dramatic night in Seville.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers (Frankfurt win 5-4 on pens.)
Goals: 0-1 Aribo (57’), 1-1 Borre 69’ (assist: Kostic)
Unbeaten on their way to their first European final since winning the 1979/80 UEFA Cup, Frankfurt were the better side for long periods in the first half. Allan McGregor was made to work early on by Daichi Kamada, before pulling off a spectacular diving save to keep out Ansgar Knauff. Joe Aribo and Filip Kostic exchanged presentable chances, with Kevin Trapp eventually called into action nine minutes from the break, the Frankfurt No.1 tipping over John Lundstram’s looping header from a corner.
Eintracht picked up where they left off upon the restart as Jesper Lindstrom saw a deflected shot drop agonisingly wide of the upright. Aribo broke the deadlock against the run of play following a defensive mix-up, but Frankfurt were behind for less than 12 minutes. After further openings for Lindstrom and Kamada, Borre capitalised on hesitant defending to turn in a trademark Kostic cross. Kostic flashed another inviting cross into the danger zone in the 89th minute, but Rangers survived to book extra-time.
Borre threatened to punish a mistake by Calvin Bassey when the contest resumed, but the Rangers defender made amends with a vital recovery challenge. Knauff then shot over and substitute Ajdin Hrustic dragged wide either side of a long-range strike from Borna Barisic, hit straight down the throat of Trapp. Kristijan Jakic sent a dipping effort just over, before Trapp pulled off a sensational point-blank save from Ryan Kent and thwarted a James Tavernier free-kick with the final action of extra time. Trapp saved from Aaron Ramsey at the Rangers end, while Frankfurt scored all five of their penalties to seal the trophy.
Match stats
- Frankfurt are the first German winners of the Europa League. Schalke were the last German team to get their hands on the trophy under its previous UEFA Cup guise, in 1997.
- Eintracht won the tournament without losing (W7, D6), beating Barcelona and West Ham along the way.
- Frankfurt are now two-time European champions, after winning the UEFA Cup in 1980. They have also qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 1960.
- Borre finishes the season as Eintracht's 12-goal top scorer in all competitions.
- Kostic has produced 15 assists this season, including a tournament-leading six in the Europa League.
- Trapp - one of 11 surviving members of the Frankfurt squad that reached the 2018/19 Europa League semi-finals - was Man of the Match.
Teams
Frankfurt: Trapp - Toure, Tuta (Hasebe 58'), Ndicka (Lenz 100') - Knauff, Sow (Hrustic 106'), Rode (c) (Jakic 90'), Kostic - Lindstrom (Hauge 70'), Kamada - Borre
Unused subs: Grahl, Lammers, Ache, Chandler, Da Costa, Barkok, Paciencia
Out: Durm (ineligible), Hinteregger (thigh), Ilsanker (ineligible), Ramaj (knee)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
Rangers: McGregor - Goldson, Lundstram, Bassey - Tavernier (c), Jack (Davis 74'), Kamara (Arfield 91'), Barisic (Roofe 117') - Wright (Sakala 74') (Ramsey 117'), Aribo (Sands 101'), Kent
Unused subs: McCrorie, McLaughlin, Diallo, Balogun, King, Lowry
Out: Hagi (knee), Morelos (thigh), Helander (foot), Ofoborh (heart)
Coach: Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Match and homecomining celebrations - as it happened!
1 - 1
(0 - 0)
Frankfurt
FINAL
Rangers
Europa League
Final Final Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, Seville
Final Final Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, Seville
1:48
WATCH: FRANKFURT WIN THE EUROPA LEAGUE, ANIMATED EDITION
120'
+ 1
THE MASTERMIND
Frankfurt's Oliver Glasner is the first Austrian coach to win a major European trophy since Ernst Happel, who won the European Cup with Hamburg in 1983.
120'
+ 1
MOMENTOUS FEAT
Frankfurt are celebrating their first European title in 42 years. They'll also be playing Champions League football next season for the first time since losing the 1960 European Cup final.
120'
+ 1
HERO'S WELCOME
The sun is shining in Frankfurt, with fans packed into the city's Römerplatz to greet the Frankfurt players and staff.
120'
+ 1
THE EAGLES HAVE LANDED
It's the morning after the night before. Freshly minted UEFA Europa League champions Frankfurt are back in Germany's financial capital after beating Rangers on penalties in Seville. Let's get this party started!
120'
+ 1
AS IT HAPPENED!
Relive a momentous night for Frankfurt in Seville...
120'
+ 1
THANKS AND GOOD NIGHT!
It's been a historic night for Eintracht Frankfurt, and you can read all about how the action unfolded with our match report, which is now at the top of the bundesliga.com homepage. As the Eagles prepare to lift the trophy we're signing off for the night, possibly to catch a late flight to Frankfurt and join the party. Thanks for tuning in and catch you next time!
120'
+ 1
TRAPP AND BORRE THE HEROES FOR FRANKFURT
They'll probably commission a new Kevin Trapp statue over in Frankfurt tomorrow morning, after those two immense saves - one to deny Kent in the dying minutes of extra time, and the other to keep out Ramsey's penalty in the shoot-out. And of course it was Rafael Borre who kept the Eagles alive with his 69th-minute equaliser, before slotting home the winning spot-kick. That duo will take the headlines, but the entire squad and staff deserve praise for this remarkable achievement.
120'
+ 1
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!
Wow! Incredible scenes in Seville, and of course it had to be Rafael Borre to finish it off. Forty-two years after their last European title, the Eagles have done it again. They become the first German side to lift the Europa League in its modern format. There's going to be some party in Seville tonight, matched only by the one in Frankfurt!
Full-time
120'
+ 1
BORRE SCORES! IT'S ALL OVER!
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT WIN THE EUROPA LEAGUE!!!!
120'
+ 1
ROOFE SCORES!
In off the post! But the Frankfurt fans are going to blow the roof off this place if Borre scores now...!
120'
+ 1
ROOFE NEXT UP
Big pressure here.
120'
+ 1
KOSTIC SCORES!
He squeezes it under McGregor! Frankfurt have the advantage, 4-3 after four penalties each.
120'
+ 1
TRAPP SAVES
Not a confident penalty from Ramsey, who only came on late in extra time... can Kostic take advantage?
120'
+ 1
RAMSEY MISSES!!
Saved by Kevin Trapp!
120'
+ 1
KAMADA SCORES
In off the post! That's 3-3 after three pens each. Are we going to get a repeat of last season's epic?
120'
+ 1
ARFIELD SCORES
Powerfully struck, out of Trapp's reach. 3-2 Rangers.
120'
+ 1
HRUSTIC SCORES
Slotted into the bottom left corner. Four excellent penalties so far, 2-2.
120'
+ 1
DAVIS SCORES
Top corner. 2-1 to Rangers.
120'
+ 1
LENZ SCORES
Coolly done by the Frankfurt man. 1-1 after one penalty each.
120'
+ 1
TAVERNIER SCORES
Rangers lead 1-0.
120'
+ 1
PENALTIES AT THE RANGERS END
The shoot-out will be taking place at the Rangers end of the stadium, and the Scottish side are first up! Tavernier.
120'
+ 1
PENALTIES!
Incredible late drama in Seville, with that phenomenal save from Kevin Trapp to keep Frankfurt alive. Will that give the German keeper a psychological edge in the coming shoot-out? We shall find out very shortly...
Penalty shootout
120'
+ 1
LAST CHANCE FOR RANGERS
Tavernier lines up a free-kick... it's heading for the top corner, but Trapp anticipates well and saves. We're going to penalties!
118'
UNBELIEVABLE SAVE FROM TRAPP!!
Rangers should win it! Roofe gets to the byline and crosses for Kent, but Trapp somehow keeps out his shot from point-blank range! Incredible! On the follow-up, Davis fires just over. What a let-off for the Bundesliga side!
114'
JAKIC!
Or maybe not! The Frankfurt substitute connects beautifully with a long-range effort, but it whistles just over the crossbar. That would have been a spectacular winner!
112'
A THIRD PENALTY SHOOT-OUT?
Since the Europa League came into being in 2009, there have been two penalty shoot-outs to settle the final. Sevilla beat Benfica in 2014, and Villarreal defeated Manchester United last season. It looks like we're heading for a third...
GLASNER'S WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
© imago
107'
HRUSTIC DRAGS WIDE!
Frankfurt respond as Hrustic, who has just replaced Sow, pulls one wide of McGregor's post. The shooting accuracy just hasn't been there for the Eagles tonight - 20 attempts, still just four on target.
106'
FINE SAVE FROM TRAPP!
Rangers come at Frankfurt from the kick-off, and Barisic forces Trapp into making a good save.
106'
Substitution
Kick-off!
105'
15 MINUTES TO GO!
It could go either way. The referee hasn't been on his whistle too much tonight, incidentally, he's tended to play the advantage. So far we've only had two yellow cards, both for Rangers (Aribo and Wright).
Half-time
105'
END-TO-END STUFF
The pace is gradually dropping but both sides still have players on the pitch who can do real damage, notably Borre on the counter for Frankfurt. He almost darted free a few moments ago but unfortunately handled the ball. One minute of time added on.
100'
Substitution
100'
KNAUFF SLICES WIDE
As we tick over to 100 minutes, Knauff squanders a decent chance for Frankfurt... he's forced wide by Bassey and tries to shoot anyway, but it's well wide of the target. Meanwhile, Lenz is coming on for Ndicka.
99'
BORRE VS BASSEY
There's a nice little battle developing between the Frankfurt forward and the Rangers defender, but who will come out on top?
95'
BORRE COMES CLOSE!
Borre nicks the ball off Bassey out on the right wing, but the Rangers defender gets back very well to block the Colombian's shot.
94'
ARFIELD HAS A GO
Rangers come forward and Arfield shoots from range, but the substitute's effort is too high to trouble Trapp.
93'
CORNER FOR FRANKFURT
First blood to the Eagles in extra time as Kostic whips in a corner, but Rangers get the ball clear.
91'
INTO EXTRA TIME
Here we go then! What have Frankfurt got left in their legs? And their heads?
Extra time
90'
+ 5
BORRE 1-1 ARIBO
It's still anyone's game in Seville. Frankfurt were on the back foot after a couple of uncharacteristic errors allowed Aribo to open the scoring for Rangers, but they hit back in style thanks to a superb cross from Kostic and a poacher's finish from Borre. Fatigue will also start to set in as we head into this final half-hour, and possibly a penalty shoot-out - but there's a huge prize awaiting the winners.
End of second half
90'
+ 5
EXTRA TIME!
Rangers have had most of the ball in the past few minutes, without really threatening - and the whistle goes! We're heading to extra time in this Europa League final.
90'
+ 2
HASEBE TAKES THE ARMBAND
With skipper Rode going off, the Japanese veteran - now aged 38 - has shrugged on the captain's armband for Frankfurt.
90'
FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON
Who's ready to become a legend for their club?
90'
Substitution
89'
ANOTHER WICKED CROSS FROM KOSTIC
In fact it was almost a shot from the Serbian, with McGregor forced to dive to his left to cover the far post. A couple of minutes to go before extra time, and Rode is coming off for Frankfurt...
86'
FIVE MINUTES TO GO
Will it be extra time, or a final twist?
BORRE STRIKES!
© imago
80'
McGREGOR ALMOST CAUGHT OUT
A long-range free-kick into the Rangers area takes a wicked bounce and almost lobs the Rangers keeper, who is forced to tip it over for a corner - but the men in blue subsequently clear the danger.
77'
HAUGE OVER THE BAR
Frankfurt come again with Rode, who can't quite carve out space for a shot. He slips to Hauge - who just came on for Lindstrom - but the Norwegian's effort from inside the area is well over. The Eagles are up to 17 shots on goal, but only four have hit the target.
75'
RAMPANT RAFA!
That's now three goals for Borre in his last four Europa League appearances - one apiece in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final! He was also on target against Olympiacos back in the group stage, meaning he's up to four for the competition.
70'
Substitution
70'
BORRE STRIKES AGAIN!
And just like that, Frankfurt are level! Kostic sends a sudden low cross into the Rangers area from the left flank, and they don't seem to be expecting it - Borre makes the most of the hesitation to sneak between Goldson and Bassey and stab home the equaliser!
67'
KAMADA JUST OVER!
This time it's a loose pass from the Rangers defence, and Kamada so nearly makes them pay! He latches onto a brilliant ball forward from Rode, but can only loop it over McGregor and onto the roof of the net. Very close!
65'
GLASNER ANIMATED
The Frankfurt coach is waving his arms around on the sidelines, trying to gee up his side after that unexpected opener for Rangers. The German fans are also looking a little stunned here in Seville, but there's still plenty of time for the Eagles to get back into the game.
62'
TUTA OFF
Tuta has gone off for Frankfurt, by the way, replaced by Hasebe. The Brazilian injured himself in the action that led to Aribo's goal, slipping over after a header backwards from Sow.
60'
LINDSTROM!
Frankfurt almost hit back immediately, with Knauff stretching brilliantly to hook the ball back into the middle for Lindstrom, whose effort is blocked. The Eagles want a penalty for handball but the referee is unmoved.
58'
Substitution
58'
RANGERS LEAD!
Disaster for Frankfurt as a defensive error allows Aribo to slip clear, and he tucks it past Trapp for 1-0.
55'
KENT SLICES WIDE
A good chance for Rangers after a rare mistake from Knauff, who miscontrols on the edge of his area - but former Freiburg man Ryan Kent can't take advantage and fires wide of the mark.
53'
POSSIBLE FRANKFURT PENALTY?
Borre goes down in the area under pressure from Goldson... VAR are having a look - no pen!
52'
FRANKFURT DOMINATING
The Bundesliga side are really pushing at the moment, but they're still lacking that little bit of cutting edge to make the breakthrough. The goal feels like it's coming, though!
49'
SO CLOSE FOR LINDSTROM!
Lindstrom picks up the ball from Kamada, turns brilliantly on the edge of the Rangers area, and sees his effort - deflected by Kamara - go inches wide of the post. McGregor was wrong-footed and well beaten.
48'
TUTA FROM DISTANCE
Another strong start from Frankfurt in this second period, with the men in white confiscating the ball. Tuta has a go from a long way out, but the Brazilian's effort sails harmlessly wide.
46'
INTO THE SECOND HALF!
Frankfurt have been the better side so far, just about... can they find a way through in the remaining 45 minutes?
Kick-off!
45'
+ 7
HALF-TIME!
Well that flew by! A very entertaining 45 minutes in Seville, with Frankfurt on top - certainly in terms of chances - but not quite able to find a way past Allan McGregor. The Eagles have had 11 shots on goal, but only three on target. In the second half, they will be shooting towards the White Wall - the end of the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan that has been colonised by their fans.
Half-time
45'
+ 6
FRANKFURT APPLYING A BIT OF PRESSURE
We're into the last 30 seconds of injury time...
ALL-ACTION!
© imago
45'
INTO STOPPAGE TIME
... which comes to nothing. We'll have six minutes of stoppage time, no doubt due to Rode's earlier head injury.
43'
SOLID FROM TUTA
Rangers look to put a ball through to Aribo but Tuta muscles the big forward off the ball, and it slips harmlessly through to Trapp. The Eagles have been on the back foot for the past few minutes, but they have a corner...
40'
FIVE MINUTES UNTIL THE BREAK
It's been a belter of a first half, even if we haven't had a goal yet. Can Frankfurt get their noses in front before the interval?
36'
FINE SAVE FROM TRAPP!
A looping header from Lundstram forces Trapp to tip over the bar. The resulting corner comes to nothing, and Kostic then wins a free-kick near the corner flag after being fouled by Tavernier.
32'
KOSTIC JUST WIDE
Frankfurt break on the counter and Kostic sprints the length of the pitch solo, with Bassey in two minds about whether to close him down or stay central. The Serbian maestro decides to go it alone, but drags his shot wide of the far post. With just over half an hour gone it's finely poised, but you sense the Eagles have more firepower in their arsenal. According to UEFA stats they've had 11 shots to just one for Rangers!
29'
LINDSTROM! KOSTIC!
Lindstrom made a mess of a short corner routine a little earlier on, but this time he gets a shot on target from the edge of the area - however, it's blocked by his teammate Kamada. A few seconds later, Kostic unleashes a vicious strike which dips just over the bar.
27'
ARIBO GOES CLOSE!
Rangers get a sniff of goal as Aribo fizzes a shot just wide of the post. Ndicka gets a warning for a late challenge on Wright in the build-up, before the players take a cooling break and grab a drink. It's around 30°C in Seville tonight, even at this late hour.
24'
FRANKFURT FANS IN FINE VOICE
The Frankfurt faithful haven't stopped singing since kick-off, and probably won't until full-time. A cheer goes up as Knauff gets back to dispossess Kent inside his own area, fine defending from the youngster. There's a proper battle unfolding in midfield, it's great to watch.
21'
SOW TRIES AGAIN!
Another effort from the Swiss midfielder - more power than his earlier effort, but less accuracy, and it goes sailing over the bar. Frankfurt are just beginning to turn the screw here...
20'
KNAUFF AGAIN!
Knauff almost gets the opener! After being fed by Rode, the Frankfurt winger jinks inside and unleashes a shot that McGregor tips behind for a corner. Best opening of the game so far.
18'
KNAUFF LIVELY
Ansgar Knauff is causing Rangers some problems down his right flank. The 20-year-old tries to work a ball into the area but it's cut out by the Scottish defence. A very open game this, lots of intensity, which isn't always the case in European finals!
15'
FRANKFURT STILL UNBEATEN
Frankfurt are still unbeaten in this season's Europa League. If they can stay that way they'll lift their second UEFA Cup/Europa League trophy after 1979/80. They'll also reach the Champions League for the first time since 1960!
12'
CHANCES FOR FRANKFURT!
Toure picks out Kamada with a lovely crossfield ball, and the Japanese forward tries to sneak his way past two Rangers defenders, before seeing a tame attempt blocked by McGregor... the ball comes out to Sow, whose curling effort is captured by the Rangers keeper.
10'
RODE OK TO GO ON
Rode is going to soldier on, having been bandaged up by the Frankfurt medical staff. He was bleeding so he's also had to change his shirt, but he's back on now.
7'
RODE DOWN
The Frankfurt captain is down and getting treatment after a clash with Lundstram - are Frankfurt going to be forced into an early change here? It looks like Rode took a boot to the face, nasty.
5'
RANGERS COMING TOO
A half-chance for Aribo as he looks to battle through the Frankfurt lines, but Ndicka gets across well to clear the danger. The men in blue currently in possession but it's end-to-end stuff!
3'
EARLY PRESSURE FROM FRANKFURT
A positive start from the German side as Knauff and Kostic get a couple of early crosses into the Rangers area, although they come to nothing. We've set off at a fast pace!
1'
KICK-OFF!
Here we go! Frankfurt, all in white, get us underway in Seville.
TROPHY ON THE PITCH!
Scroll down to see what Frankfurt and Rangers will be hoping to lift at the end of the evening. The players are out on the pitch, with the Frankfurt fans waving white flags and brandishing a magnificent giant tifo. Time for game faces!
KICK-OFF IMMINENT!
We're just a few minutes away from the 13th Europa League final, which will hopefully prove lucky for Eintracht Frankfurt! The Eagles are bidding to become the first German winners of this competition since it underwent its format change in 2009.
SEVILLE UNDER SIEGE
Reports suggest that no fewer than 150,000 fans have made their way to Seville for tonight's final, although obviously not all of them will fit inside Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan (which has a capacity of 42,000). The city's Cartuja Stadium is welcoming ticketless Rangers fans, while the Frankfurt faithful can watch on big screens at the nearby Prado gardens. Back in Germany, meanwhile, the game is being shown at Deutsche Bank Park.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: ADVANTAGE FRANKFURT
You have to go all the way back to 1960 for the only two previous meetings between these clubs, in the semi-finals of the European Cup. Frankfurt will have fond memories of the tie, in which they scored six goals home AND away to progress 12-4 on aggregate! Unfortunately, they were beaten by Real Madrid in the final, with Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas combining for all seven goals in a 7-3 win. Amazingly, that was the last time the Eagles played in Europe's top club competition – but a win tonight would seal a long-awaited return to the Champions League.
FRANKFURT'S FINAL FLOURISH?
This is Frankfurt's first European final since 1979/80, when they beat fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach to win the UEFA Cup – the former incarnation of the modern Europa League. On the road to Seville, the Eagles topped a group containing Olympiacos, Fenerbahce and Antwerp, before knocking out Real Betis, Barcelona(!) and West Ham en route to the final.
FRANKFURT TEAM NEWS
There were question marks tonight over the fitness of Jesper Lindstrom, but the 22-year-old Dane has recovered enough to start in midfield. Leading the line will be the red-hot Rafael Borre, who was on target in the knockout wins over Barcelona and West Ham.
FRANKFURT SUBS
Grahl, Jakic, Hrustic, Lammers, Hasebe, Ache, Chandler, Hauge, Da Costa, Lenz, Barkok, Paciencia
FRANKFURT STARTING XI
Trapp - Toure, Tuta, Ndicka - Knauff, Sow, Rode (c), Kostic - Lindstrom, Kamada - Borre
RANGERS SUBS
McCrorie, McLaughlin, Diallo, Davis, Ramsey, Sands, Roofe, Balogun, Sakala, Arfield, King, Lowry
RANGERS STARTING XI
McGregor - Goldson, Lundstram, Bassey - Tavernier (c), Jack, Kamara, Barisic - Wright, Aribo, Kent
WELCOME ALONG!
Good evening and a very warm welcome to our live text coverage of tonight's UEFA Europa League final! At 9pm CEST, Eintracht Frankfurt will be kicking off the first of this season's European showpieces against Rangers, at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in Seville. Team news forthcoming!
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