Aribo, Bassey shine as Rangers lose Europa League title to Frankfurt

Joe Aribo chose the perfect moment to score his first Europa League goal but it ended on a sad note for Rangers

Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo justified Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s decision to start him as an attacker in the Europa League final against Frankfurt.

Aribo slotted a 57th-minute finish past Kevin Trapp in the Frankfurt goal and sent the Gers fans at the Ramon De Pizjuan into raptures.

A slip from the Frankfurt defence and @J_Aribo19 races forward and sends a perfect finish into the back of the net. The scenes in the Rangers end 💙

Frankfurt 0-1 Rangers | #UELfinal https://t.co/v5W2400kZK

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 18, 2022

They were however pegged back in the 79th minute when Rafael Santos Borre popped up to toe in a finish to draw the Germans level.

Calvin Bassey, starting in the Rangers defense was solid for the entire duration of the contest as he made vital blocks and interceptions.

His reading of the ball and tackling were also exceptional on the night in Andalusia.

Rangers and Frankfurt threw everything at the game but both sides defended solidly for long spells to keep their opposing numbers at bay.

A travelling army of Rangers fans inside and outside the stadium cheered to celebrate the rare moment of their first final in 14 years as they created an electric atmosphere in the historic Spanish city.

The game went into penalties and Aaron Ramsey’s missed spot-kick ensured Frankfurt won the Europa League 5-4 on penalties.

Rangers have now lost a final in the competition 14 years since losing the first.