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Aaron Ramsey Loses Penalty As Rangers Loses Europa Final To Frankfurt On Penalties
Rangers suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat in their fifth European final as Eintracht Frankfurt triumphed in an absorbing Europa League decider.
Rafael Borre crashed in the decisive spot kick after Aaron Ramsey was denied just moments earlier in front of a colossal Rangers support in the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
Those fans had been euphoric when the Scots took the lead through Joe Aribo’s ice-cool second-half finish in the sweltering cauldron in Seville.
However, Borre detonated raucous scenes in a jam-packed Eintracht end 12 minutes later as he steered in a soft equaliser to send this energy-sapping contest to extra time and penalties.
And Rangers’ players crumpled to their feet as the 11th-placed side in the Bundesliga prevailed in the shoot-out, executing five composed penalties to claim their second European trophy and a place in next season’s Champions League group stages.
Under a humid Spanish sky, this one seemed written in the stars for Rangers. Their only previous win in Spain came in the 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, when the Barca Bears stormed past Dynamo Moscow for their first European trophy.
The pilgrimage to Seville in the hope of repeating the feat of Jardine, Stein, Greig and Johnstone was a long and arduous one.
It started in the Champions League qualifiers against Malmo last summer for the players and for the men, women and children who spilled into Seville from the four corners of the world to support them. This was their chance to see the class of 2022 become immortal, and over 100,000 made the trip in hope and expectation.
Well before kick off, the ground swarmed with light blue. An original allocation of just under 9500 looked fanciful when the sides entered to a cacophony so loud it could wake the dead.
Around two thirds of the stadium swayed, rocked and roared with Scots, leaving their German counterparts and their flag display looking a little humble. Frankfurt were brighter on the pitch, though. They were quick and aggressive, while Rangers appeared nervous.
James Tavernier had flashes on the right, but the intensity which stung Dortmund, Braga and Leipzig was missing. Ansgar Knauff drew a tremendous save from Allan McGregor, then Djibril Sow went close as the German fans raised the noise level in appreciation.
Rangers retaliated through Aribo. Time stopped dead as he wrapped his foot around the ball on the edge of the D. The sight of it flashing by the far post by a foot will race through his mind for a while yet.
Both teams exchanged jabs before Rangers, who survived a VAR penalty scare courtesy of a rash Connor Goldson lunge, landed an incredible blow.
Football may be a game of tactics, money and talent, but at times it can offer up the inexplicable. There’s little explanation for Sow’s flopped header towards his own goal. Or the stumble from Tuta which allowed Aribo to bustle in on goal.
The Rangers fans held their breath before bursting into life as the ball hit the net after a low finish. Giovanni van Bronckhorst punched the air and roared into the night sky.
Rangers were in control now and that will make the anguish of defeat hurt so much more. The slap in the face came just 12 minutes later, Borre stealing in between Connor Goldson and Calvin Bassey to force home a teasing but cheap cross.
Extra time beckoned as Eintracht went for a knockout blow, but Rangers – and their support – roused themselves and should have won it two minutes before penalties. Substitute Kemar Roofe charged to the goal-line and his deflected cutback fell for Ryan Kent with the goal gaping, but Kevin Trapp’s wonder save expelled a giant gasp from the crowd. Tavernier’s arcing free-kick in the dying seconds was also palmed away.
Ramsey was a late edition to the match with penalties in mind. The on-loan Juventus man had the opportunity to make it 4-3 in the shootout after Tavernier, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield slotted Rangers’ first three kicks, but the Welsh midfielder’s tame effort was whacked away by Trapp’s trailing leg.
It would be the only miss of the shootout, as Rangers’ marathon run in Europe came to the most agonising of ends in a flurry of white bedlam.
Man of the match – Calvin Bassey
What does this mean?
The golden glitter was still falling from the winners’ podium as Rangers’ players remained sat on their hunkers inside an emptying stadium.
The haunted look on the face of McGregor – in what might even be the final game of his career – told its own story. This was the cruellest of endings on what should have been the closing chapter of their finest ever moment.
The teams beaten along the way, and the manner in which they were dealt with, made this run iconic and at times defied logic. Money, tactics, superior players and reality went out the window as Borussia Dortmund were stormed past. Braga were overcome in extra-time drama. And the Ibrox roof nearly crashed in on itself as RB Leipzig were put to the sword.
This one will sting, given the game was in their hands after Aribo’s opener. Eintracht, who knocked out Barcelona and West Ham, threatened to wilt under the pressure. Rangers had them, but the door was left open.
The spurned chances at the death of extra time also offer a cruel pang of “what if” to the punched gut of emotions that will be churning its way through the Rangers team as their flight heads home on Thursday.
In time, that will subside and they will rightly focus on the pride of a team from Scotland making it to a European final from so far back. It’s an incredible feat.
Yet, with the Scottish Cup final in just three days, there will be little time for Van Bronckhorst’s side to salve the sting of this one.
Match stats
- Eintracht become the first German team to win the Uefa Cup/Europa League since Schalke in 1996-97.
- It is their second major European trophy, 42 years after winning the Uefa Cup against Borussia Monchengladbach.
- This was Rangers first shootout defeat in Europe since the 1999-00 Uefa Cup (v Borussia Dortmund in the round of 32).
- Rangers had four shots on target in the second half of extra time – double the amount they had in the first 105 minutes
- Aribo’s goal was his first in the Europa League this season. He became just the second Nigerian player to score in the final of a major European competition, after Alex Iwobi in the 2019 Europa League.
- McGregor became the oldest player to feature in a Uefa Cup/Europa League final (40y 107d). Meanwhile, he’s just the third player aged 40+ to play in a major European final, after Dino Zoff in the 1983 European Cup (41y 86d), and Edwin van der Sar in the 2011 Champions League (40y 211d).
Josh2Funny’s Album Has Fans Talking — But Should He Stick To Music Or Skits? 😂🎶
Nigerian comedian and content creator Josh2Funny has taken his comedy game into music, and Nigerians are definitely having something to say about it.
The comedian released his 15-track album, “On Behalf of Josh,” on July 10, 2026, but instead of fading away after release, the project has continued to generate conversations on X.
And the big question now is:
Should Josh2Funny continue with music or go back to skits? 😂
Fans have been divided. While some listeners openly criticized the album and told him to return to comedy, others found songs they genuinely enjoyed.
One X user joked:
“Josh2Funny stopped doing skits and started music, Everybody wan chop this music money 😂”
Another simply said:
“This Josh2Funny Album no enter make he just go back skit abeg 😂”
But then came “Lembe.” 🔥
The track caught fire on X and eventually became a trending topic in Nigeria. The #LembeChallenge also gained momentum as creators began jumping on the song.
Josh2Funny later announced ₦1 million for winners of the challenge, giving the song another major push.
And it didn’t stop there.
‘INTERNATIONAL’ FT. ICE PRINCE ALSO TRENDED
On another day, “International” featuring Ice Prince generated its own buzz on X.
One fan even called it their favourite song from the album, while praising the collaboration. The post itself pulled thousands of views, showing that people weren’t only talking about Lembe.
From album criticism to trending songs and challenges, “On Behalf of Josh” has kept Josh2Funny’s name in the conversation.
Whether you love the album or think he should return to skits, one thing is clear:
Josh2Funny has succeeded in getting Nigerians talking. 😂🔥
So, let’s settle this once and for all:
Should Josh2Funny continue with MUSIC 🎶 or return to SKITS 😂?
Music or Skits? Drop your answer! 👇
East Ham, East London — 8 August 2026: The vibrant Igbo community in the UK came together for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, culture and social connection at Igbotic Game Night, one of the biggest social gatherings celebrating the Igbo community in the United Kingdom.
Among the night’s standout moments was an electrifying performance by Afrobeats artist Obeena, who took the stage and immediately captured the attention of the crowd.
Obeena delivered performances of two of his hit songs, “Wara Wara” and “Banging,” bringing his energetic sound and distinctive stage presence to the event. From the opening moments of his set, fans responded with excitement, singing along, dancing and enthusiastically supporting the artist.
His performance of “Wara Wara” created an instant connection with the audience, while “Banging” took the energy to another level. Obeena’s ability to engage the crowd transformed his set into one of the most memorable entertainment moments of the evening.
Held in East Ham, East London, on 8 August 2026, Igbotic Game Night provided a unique platform for members of the Igbo community to celebrate their heritage while enjoying music, games and social interaction. Events such as this continue to play an important role in bringing together Nigerians and the wider African diaspora in the UK.
For Obeena, the performance was another opportunity to showcase his growing artistry and connect directly with fans. His energetic delivery, stage confidence and ability to command the audience demonstrated why his live performances continue to attract attention.
By the end of his set, Obeena had left the crowd amazed and added another memorable chapter to his journey as an Afrobeats artist. His appearance at Igbotic Game Night was not simply a performance—it was a celebration of Nigerian music, culture and community.
With performances like this, Obeena continues to demonstrate his ambition to take his sound beyond the studio and onto major stages, connecting with audiences through music, energy and an unmistakable African identity.
Igbotic Game Night brought the Igbo community together. Obeena gave them a performance to remember.
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