Rangers’ hopes of Europa League glory ended with penalty shootout misery as Eintracht Frankfurt secured the trophy in Seville.
The Ibrox side dreamed of lifting a European trophy for just the second time in the club’s history but it is the Bundesliga side’s name etched on this year’s trophy after the match finished 1-1 after extra-time.
Joe Aribo sent Rangers into dreamland in the 57th minute when his shot crept over the line to open the scoring at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
Rafael Santos Borre stabbed home the equaliser for Frankfurt 12 minutes later after a mistake from Connor Goldson, sending the match into extra-time.
Both sides passed up opportunities in the extra 30 minutes before substitute Aaron Ramsey missed his spot-kick and the German side converted all of theirs as the Ibrox side fell short, just as they did in 2008.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst stuck with the same starting XI as their semi-final triumph over RB Leipzig at Ibrox as they looked to secure the club’s first European trophy since 1972.
The first opportunity fell to the Bundesliga side when Rangers lost the ball in midfield. Daichi Kamada beat a couple of challenges before Allan McGregor blocked his close-range effort and quickly recovered to save Djibril Sow’s follow-up.
Frankfurt were determined and had McGregor to thank again soon after as he produced a brilliant save to deny Ansgar Knauff.
Rangers, though, recovered to create their first real chance as a lovely pass from Scott Wright set up Aribo outside the box, but the midfielder watched his shot drift just wide of the post.
John Lundstram, Rangers’ semi-final goal hero, produced their first shot on target as his header was tipped over the bar from Borna Barsic’s free-kick.
Ryan Jack then had a chance to be a hero for the Ibrox side when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box, but he sent it sailing high over the bar.
It was Eintracht who continued to pressure after the break.
With McGregor beaten, only a deflection off Calvin Bassey denied Jesper Lindstrom the opener as his shot looped inches wide of the post.
The German side were screaming for a penalty after Goldson made contact with Borre on the edge of the area – a VAR check saw no spot-kick given.
Rangers then countered quickly as Tavernier burst down the right and sent a ball to Ryan Kent, who sent his effort into the stand.
But then out of nothing Rangers found themselves in front.
Aribo pounced on a misjudged header from Djibril Sow, chasing defender Tuta then stumbled giving the midfielder a free run on goal.
His strike crept past Kevin Trapp in the Frankfurt goal and sent the thousands of Gers fans inside the stadium into raptures.
Frankfurt were not giving up and, after Kamada’s shot landed on the top of the net, Santos Borre equalised.
Goldson failed to clear Filip Kostic’s corner and the striker stabbed the ball past McGregor.
With extra-time looming Kostic had a chance to win it for Frankfurt but, with too much power, the ball flew past the far post.
This final was not done yet.
Scott Arfield watched his effort fly well over at the start of extra-time, then at the other end an error from Bassey allowed Borre to burst forward but the Rangers defender recovered to clear the danger.
It was Bassey to the rescue again soon after as he matched Knuaff for pace to cut the angle and force the winger to fire wide.
As players from both sides started to tire, Kent tried a speculative shot from distance but it posed no threat to the Frankfurt ‘keeper.
Rangers then squandered a glorious chance to win it in the dying minutes of extra-time when Roofe’s perfect cross found Kent but he could only fire his effort straight at Trapp from close range as the match went to penalties.
Tavernier, Steven Davis, and Arfield made no mistake from the spot before Ramsey sent his effort into the arms of Trapp.
Rafael Borre then slammed home the decisive penalty to win the Europa League for Frankfurt and break the hearts of thousands of Rangers fans.
With Sky Sports report
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