RANGERS have suffered penalty shootout heartbreak as the Germans came up trumps from the spot once again.
In a game of few chances, makeshift striker Joe Aribo pounced on a defensive error to give the Gers the lead in Seville.
But Rafael Santos Borre poked home from close range to level for the Germans and force extra time.
Ryan Kent had the chance to win the Europa League trophy with seconds left but a world class save from point blank range from Kevin Trapp denied him.
And that meant a penalty shootout.
After some brilliant spot kicks, Aaron Ramsey saw his penalty saved by Trapp as the Germans scored five out of five to win the trophy.
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All is not lost
Rangers may have lost the Europa League final but they still have a chance of securing Champions League football.
The Gers will now have to go through the non-champions qualifying path.
And as a result of all Russian teams being expelled, they will enter the tournament at the third qualifying round rather than the second qualifying round.
That means they are guaranteed Europa League football even if they lose in qualifying.
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The match-winner
Borre stole in to level the scores in the second half.
He then scored the final penalty to win it for his side.
Frankfurt’s saving grace.
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Caught in a Trapp
Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was the hero tonight for the German side with a point black save from Ryan Kent and a penalty save from Aaron Ramsey.
And nobody will be more delighted than his biggest fan, fiancee Izabel Goulart.
The former Victoria’s Secret lingerie model is a regular at his games with Frankfurt and was seen sharing a kiss with him after their wins over Barcelona and West Ham.
In 2018, she even bragged that the couple make love five times a week, which can leave him tired for matches.
Kevin Trapp kissing fiancee Izabel Goulart after Frankfurt’s win over West Ham
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A devastated Lundstram has his say:
We’re so disappointed to lose like that. Penalties are a lottery, it could have been any one of us who missed. We feel like we’ve let the fans down who have come here to support us. We’re so, so heartbroken.
John Lundstram, Rangers midfielder
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Rangers heartbroken
The Rangers players are still on the pitch, the fans are still in their seats, staring blankly into space.
It’s a brutal end to an otherwise brilliant European run.
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Frankfurt win on penalties
Frankfurt have done it in the most dramatic style.
There are huge celebrations amongst the Frankfurt players and plenty of tears amongst the Rangers fans. They gave everything.
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FRANKFURT WIN THE EUROPA LEAGUE – Frankfurt 5-4 Rangers
Borre scores and Eintracht Frankfurt are champions!
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Frankfurt 4-4 Rangers
Roofe does score!
In off the post.
All up to McGregor…
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Frankfurt 4-3 Rangers
Kostic buries it!
McGregor gets a finger to it but there is too much power behind it.
Rangers have to score now…
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Frankfurt 3-3 Rangers
Trapp saves!
Ramsey goes down the middle and Trapp is equal to it.
Advantage Frankfurt.
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Frankfurt 3-3 Rangers
Kamada with the best of the lot, curling it in off the post.
McGregor went the wrong way, but no keeper was getting near that.
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Frankfurt 2-3 Rangers
Arfield fires the ball past Trapp!
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Frankfurt 2-2 Rangers
Hrustic rolls the ball into the bottom corner, sending McGregor the wrong way.
Great penalties so far.
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Frankfurt 1-2 Rangers
Davis puts it in the top corner!
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Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
Lenz outs it away before shushing the Rangers fans.
Nerves of steel.
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Frankfurt 0-1 Rangers
Tavernier slots it home!
Captain leading by example.
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Penalties
Rangers will be taking their penalties towards their fans. Good news for them, less so for Frankfurt
Tavernier will take first.
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Full time of extra time
It’s penalties, folks.
Strap in.
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Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
120, Oh so close!
He gets it up and over the wall, but there isn’t enough power, and Trapp can get across to save it easily enough.
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Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
119, Jakic trips Davis on the edge of the area.
Tavernier is lining it up…
He couldn’t, could he?
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Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
118, Rangers come so close!
Roofe is immediately involved, running in behind and flashing a ball across the box to Kent who is denied by Trapp from 5 yards!
That was his moment!
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Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers – Rangers double change
117, Barisic pulls up holding his hamstring. Roofe comes on in his place.
Sakala is also forced off despite coming off the bench. Ramsey is on.
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Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
114, Jakic comes close!
Jakic cuts across the ball nicely, and had McGregor worried, but it was always rising over the bar.
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Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
113, Kent lets fly!
The winger strikes a powerful effort on goal, but it’s straight down the throat of Trapp.
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Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers
111, Knauff drifts inside and fires a low drive n goal. It bounces out to Kostic who whips another brilliant ball in. Kamada goes down in the box after making contact with Bassey.
It looked as though the Frankfurt man ran into him.
