Home National Football Teams Aribo, Bassey, Balgun’s European Dream Still Alive As Rangers Reach first Final...

Aribo, Bassey, Balgun’s European Dream Still Alive As Rangers Reach first Final In 14 years

The Nigerian trio all featured as Rangers produced one of their greatest European performances to set up a Europa League final with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Rangers are through to the final of the Europa League after defeating RB Leipzig 3-1 in the second leg of the semi-finals on Thursday night. Rangers have reached a European final for the first time since 2008.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, goals from James Tavernier and Glen Kamara inside the first 25 minutes swung the tie in favor of the home team. Joe Aribo squandered a golden opportunity to put Rangers up 3-0 when he failed to connect on a shot inside the six-yard box. He was forced off at the break after suffering a head injury.

France attacker Christopher Nkunku brought Leipzig back into the game with a smart volley from inside the box in the 70th minute to set up a frantic finish to the game.

In the 80th minute, Rangers midfielder John Lundstram scored to send the Scottish champions to the final and Ibrox Stadium into a state of euphoria. The final vs Eintracht Frankfurt will take place on May 18th at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in Seville, Spain.

Nigerian star Calvin Bassey saw 90 minutes of action from a centre-back position. Leon Balogun was a 59th minute sub.