The Europa League is not as starstudded or prestigious as the Champions League but teams still take it very seriously as the winner is guaranteed a Champions League spot next season. Coincidentally, both finalists this year need that guaranteed spot. 

German side Eintracht Frankfurt is only 11th in the German League Bundesliga. That means they have no hope of qualifying for any European competition unless they win the Europa League. On the other hand, the Rangers are in a slightly better spot compared to Frankfurt. They are second in the Scottish Premiership, which guarantees them a spot in the Champions League play-in tournament. However, Scottish teams don’t have a good track record in these play-in tournaments. Therefore, the most direct way for Rangers to participate in the Champions League is to win this Europa League final. That puts both teams’ European competition hopes on the line in this final.

Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner only made one change to his lineup compared to their win against West Ham. Jesper Lindstrøm retruns from injury to the starting XI for Jens Petter Hauge in the right wing position. Rangers’ manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst lined up the same team that defeated RB Leipzig. Scott Wright, Joe Aribo, and Ryan Kent lead the attack for the Rangers. 

The game started with an incident that showed the leniency of referee Slavko Vincic. Rangers’ John Lundstram tried to reach for the ball but accidentally caught Frankfurt captain Sebastian Rode with a high boot. Rode’s forehead was cut open and required treatment. Nine out of ten times there had been a similar incident in a match, the referee will show a card to the offending player. Vincic did not book Lundstram, which caused a strong disagreement between the officials and the Frankfurt bench. The match carried on with Frankfurt's dominance. Frankfurt managed 10 shots in the first 30 minutes, with the Rangers only managing one. Frankfurt had several close chances forcing Rangers’ goalkeeper Allan McGregor to make three saves. The tide slowly turned after the half-hour mark, with Rangers slowly finding their rhythm and regaining possession. However, it wasn’t enough for either team to open the scoring before the halftime whistle was blown. 

Both teams started the second half trading punches, both teams were eager to deal the first blow. As both teams looked like they were in a deadlock, a slip from Frankfurt center back Tuta would change the game at the 57th minute. Tuta was attempting to chase a backward pass and lost his footing. Rangers’ Aribo was able to easily pick up the ball, run towards goal, and slot it past Frankfurt’s goalkeeper Kevin Trapp for the first goal of the game in front of Rangers fans. Things took a turn for the worse for Frankfurt as Tuta has injured himself during the slip. He had to be substituted for Hasebe immediately after the goal. 

Even though the goal was frustrating for Frankfurt, they were determined to bounce back. They put immense pressure on the Rangers with attack after attack. The equalizer looked closer and closer for Frankfurt and it finally came at the 69th minute. Filip Kostic found Rafael Borré with a cross from the left side. Borré extended his leg just enough to poke the ball past McGregor to equalize for Frankfurt. Both teams were looking for a goal to lead the game again. After 90 minutes of regular time, neither team was able to do so. The game continued in 30 minutes of extra time. 

Both teams were equally matched in the first half of extra time. They each had their chances in an entertaining 15 minutes of end-to-end soccer, but neither team was able to take the lead. The second half of extra time started just like the first one with fast-paced, end-to-end soccer being the main theme. It looked like neither team wanted to take it to penalties. The momentum slowly pivoted over to the Rangers’ side and the golden chance of extra time fell to Kent but his point-blank shot was saved by Trapp in the dying minutes of the game. The rebound fell to Steven Davis but his shot was deflected off the target. Rangers' effort was not sufficient to take the lead. The 120 minutes of game time was not enough to separate the two teams. The ownership of the trophy will be decided by penalties. 

James Tavernier stepped up to take the first penalty for Rangers and converted. Christopher Lenz stepped up for Frankfurt and did the same. Davis, Ajdin Hrustic, Scott Afield, and Daichi Kamada all scored for their separate teams to make the scoreline three to three. Aaron Ramsey, who was substituted on in the last minutes of the game, stepped up to take Rangers’ fourth penalty. Ramsey went for the middle of the goal and Trapp saved the ball with his legs. Kostic followed up to take his penalty and gave Frankfurt the lead in the shootout. Kemar Roofe converted his penalty for Rangers to give the team a slither of hope. Frankfurt’s equalizing hero Borré stepped up to take the decisive penalty for the German side and Borré did not disappoint. Borré buried his penalty in the back of the net to send Frankfurt fans into ecstasy.

Frankfurt’s 42-year wait for another European triumph has finally ended. By winning the game, Frankfurt has earned a spot in the Champions League next year. Frankfurt went to the final taking the harder route, defeating Real Betis, West Ham, Barcelona, and maintained their undefeated status along the way. They definitely deserve the trophy for their performance.

Even the game did not go Rangers’ way, their effort was very admirable. The Scottish side will play for the Scottish Cup in the upcoming weekend and they will play for a Champions League Spot before the next season starts.