For the second consecutive season, the Europa League final has gone into penalties with Frankfurt the latest winner. Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey proved to be the villain after Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Rangers 5-4 on penalties in the Europa League final to win the first European title in 42 years.
Ramsey missed the decisive kick in the penalty shootout to deny the Nigerian trio of Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun, and their club, Rangers, Europa League immortality on Wednesday night.
After a goalless first half, Aribo opened the scoring for the Gers at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan just before the hour mark to send Rangers fans into a frenzy.
However, his goal only last 12 minutes as Frankfurt bounced through Rafael Borre to equalise and take the game into extra time.
Frankfurt’s goalkeeper, Kevin Trapp proved to be the hero after denying Rangers the winner with a point-blank save in the second half of extra time.
The 31-year-old went a step further to produce another save, this time in the penalty shootout to deny Ramsey to lead his club, Frankfurt to Europa League glory.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey praised as Rangers lose Europa League final to Frankfurt
Here are three (3) things we learned from the final in Seville
1. Aribo scores first Europa League goal of the season but suffers heartbreak
When it mattered most, the 26-year-old didn’t fail, opening the scoring for Rangers under a very harsh condition in Seville.
Despite touching the ball a few times, Aribo became only the second Nigerian since Alex Iwobi to score in the final of the Europa League.
However, like his Super Eagles teammate, the goal was not enough to secure the title for Aribo and his team in the end.
2. Calvin Bassey doesn’t deserve to be on the losing side
The talented defender who has been praised for his excellent displays this season was again in top form after putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Frankfurt.
Bassey was superb at the heart of the Rangers’ defense, making two outstanding match-winning tackles to deny Frankfurt.
The 22-year-old had nine recoveries, three interceptions, won 100% of his tackles, four aerial duels, and won seven duels.
3. Frankfurt complete invisible campaign
Eintracht Frankfurt has become only the third team to ever win the Europa League title without losing a game.
They may have struggled in the Bundesliga this season after they finished 11th on the log, but the modest German side will be in the Champions League next season after an incredible campaign that saw them lift the crown without a defeat.
Frankfurt joins the likes of Chelsea (2019) and Villarreal CF (2021) as the only teams to have lifted the Europa League title without losing a single match.
