It was a devastating heartbreak for Chipolopolo star Fashion Sakala as his side Rangers FC lost the UEFA Europa League Cup final to German side Eintracht Frankfurt 5-4 on post-match penalties.
ZANIS Sports monitored the match and reports that Rangers FC were denied a historic victory after suffering penalty shoot-out heartbreak in the Europa League final following 120 minutes of a closely fought entertaining game played on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville, Spain
Sakala’s Scottish Club Rangers were aiming to bring back a European trophy to the Ibrox after 50 years following their last European success of 1972.
Rangers lost the Europa League Cup final in a dramatic penalty shootout after Aaron Ramsey, who came on as a late extra time substitute for Sakala, missed his penalty.
Sensational midfield maestro Joe Aribo broke the deadlock in the 57th minute to put Rangers in front with a cool finish past Kevin Trapp from close range.
However, Frankfurt restored parity after 12 minutes when Rafael Borre moved swiftly to meet Filip Kostic’s cross and steer the ball past Ranger’s goalkeeper, Allan McGregor.
Rangers Coach, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst brought on Sakala and Steven Davis in the 75th minute to turn the tide of the game in Rangers favour by getting the winner but Frankfurt grew in confidence after their equaliser pressuring the Scottish giants who held firm to force extra time.
Sakala’s debut in a European Club football final ended in the 117th minute of extra time when Ramsey was brought on as a late substitute and went on to miss a spot kick.
Frankfurt scored all five of their spot kicks while Rangers scored two on either side of Ramsey’s missed penalty.
Despite his team minting a runners-up medal in last night’s final, Sakala will be disappointed to miss out on being the first Zambian to lift the UEFA Europa League trophy.
However, Sakala still has a chance to win silverware this season when Rangers face Hearts in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on Saturday, May 21, 2022.