Joe Aribo scored the opener in Wednesday’s Europa League final but Eintracht Frankfurt prevailed 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes in the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, Seville.
Rangers took the lead on 57 minutes when Aribo capitalized on a defensive error to slot home with a cool low finish. The 25-year-old had come closest to opening the score in the first half but his effort went inches wide. It was his first goal in the 2021/22 Europa League campaign.
Twelve minutes after Aribo’s opener, Frankfurt equalized when Rafael Santos Borre pushed the ball past Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor. The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and went to extra-time.
Despite chances for both teams, neither could take the lead in 30 minutes of extra time and the game headed into penalties. Aaron Ramsey was the only Rangers player to miss a penalty kick as Frankfurt won 5-4.
Aribo who played as a central striker was substituted in the first half of extra time. With his goal, he became only the second Nigerian to score in a European club competition final after Alex Iwobi in the 2019 Europa League final vs Chelsea.
Calvin Bassey started and completed the game in a left centre-back position. The 22-year-old was one of the best performers on the night. He made two blocks, 3 interceptions, 6 clearances and recovered the ball 9 times. Leon Balogun was an unused substitute.
