Rangers roar into 'dream' Europa League final

Goals from Tavernier, Kamara and Lundstram clinch 3-2 aggregate win over RB Leipzig

Rangers' James Tavernier celebrates victory with teammates after the final whistle. PA

Rangers captain James Tavernier described leading the Glasgow giants into the Europa League final as a "dream come true" after a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig on Thursday took the Scottish champions through 3-2 on aggregate.

Tavernier moved out in front as the top scorer in the competition from right-back when he opened the scoring before Glen Kamara turned the tie around inside the first 24 minutes.

The Finnish midfielder dedicated his goal to long-serving kitman Jimmy Bell, who died on Tuesday, on an emotionally charged night at Ibrox.

Christopher Nkunku hit back for Leipzig in the second half, but John Lundstram scored the winner nine minutes from time.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the final in Seville on May 18 in just their second European final in 50 years.

"We wanted to do it for Jimmy. I'm super proud of all the effort the players, staff, fans put in today. He will be looking down proud of us," said Tavernier.

"It's an unbelievable feeling, a European final. It's what you dream of.

"We'll go there full of confidence. Frankfurt got there for a reason, but it's one game and we'll fully back ourselves. We're in this competition to win it."

Rangers lost to Zenit St Petersburg in the Uefa Cup final of 2008, but have had to start again from the fourth tier of Scottish football following a financial collapse in 2012.

Last season they ended Celtic's run of nine league titles in a row and will return to the Champions League for the first time since 2010 with victory over Frankfurt at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in 13 days' time.

Leipzig's 1-0 advantage from the first leg was blown away early on in front of a cacophonous noise.

Tavernier timed his run to perfection to turn in Ryan Kent's cross before Kamara guided a wonderful finish low into the far corner from outside the box and kissed his black armband in tribute to Bell.

Joe Aribo should have made it three within half an hour when he missed his kick from point-blank range.

Frankfurt v West Ham ratings

EINTRACHT FRANKFURT RATINGS: Kevin Trapp 7 - The big German had a comfortable night and he dealt with anything that West Ham created as a limited attacking threat. PA

Evan Ndicka 8 - Great defending early on as he read the play and slid in to deny Antonio a run at goal, but mistimed a challenge on the striker later on in the half that almost gave West Ham a lifeline from the resulting free-kick. Totally redeemed himself by clearing Zouma’s effort off the line. Reuters

Martin Hinteregger N/A - The home side suffered a potential setback when they lost the Austrian international to a hamstring injury so early in the game. The fans’ favourite wasn’t missed as Cresswell’s sending off just minutes later changed the complexion of the game. Getty Images

Tuta 9 - Another accomplished display as he took on a more central defensive role after Hinteregger’s injury. Strolled through the game making some timely interceptions. AP Photo

Ansgar Knauff 9 - Great run and precise cut back from the Brazilian to put the first goal on a plate for Borre. The Dortmund loanee gave West Ham problems every time he touched the ball. An exciting prospect. EPA

Djibril Sow 9 - Always looks like he’s got more time than he should have. A calming influence, but recognises when to change the tempo in the attacking third. A class act. Getty Images

Sebastian Rode 8 - Had a left-foot strike fly just past the post in the first half, but most of the experienced midfielder’s good work was done patrolling the middle and dictating the play in a dominant display alongside his midfield partner Sow. Reuters

Filip Kostic 7 - His crossing wasn’t as accurate as a week ago. Not up to his usual standard, but the Serbian was always a threat and tested Coufal at every opportunity. PA

Jens Petter Hauge 7 - A livewire who never stops running, the young Norwegian must be a nightmare to play against, especially when you’re a man down. Direct and physical, the cause of Cresswell’s red card when he ran beyond the West Ham defence. AFP

Daichi Kamada 7 - Some of his movement off the ball was excellent. Kept the West Ham defence guessing as he made countless runs beyond Borre. A less effective performance than a week ago, but still showed his quality on the ball. AFP

Rafael Santos Borre 8 - A composed finish from 12 yards was enough to put the tie out of reach when Knauff picked him out with a perfect cut back. The Colombian linked the play and dragged defenders about for others to exploit space. EPA

SUBS: Almamy Toure 8 - Replaced Hinteregger after five minutes and settled into Frankfurt’s back three seamlessly. Almost got on the scoresheet late on when he received Sow’s pass on the half turn, the ball sat up, but the big defender fired over from just outside the box. EPA

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MAY 05: Filip Kostic of Eintracht Frankfurt is challenged by Vladimir Coufal of West Ham United during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final Leg Two match between Eintracht Frankfurt and West Ham United at Deutsche Bank Park on May 05, 2022 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst / Getty Images)

Kristijan Jakic 6 - The Croatian replaced Rode with 15 minutes to go and kept it simple to help his side see the game out. EPA

Ajdin Hrustic N/A - Came on for the goalscorer Borre with seven minutes remaining. Getty Images

Goncalo Paciencia N/A - Almost scored with his second touch - a left foot volley that was just behind him - but his effort flashed past Areola’s right hand post. Getty Images

WEST HAM RATINGS: Alphonse Areola 7 - The West Ham stopper dealt well with the majority of Frankfurt’s attempts and couldn’t do anything about the goal. Getty Images

Aaron Cresswell 3 - It was deja vu as the defender saw red when he was caught the wrong side of Hauge and, as the last man, tangled with the Frankfurt forward. It proved to be the turning point in the tie as the home side took advantage and controlled the game from then on. EPA

Craig Dawson 6 - Had a header easily saved by Trapp in the second half when he headed Antonio’s cross downwards. Was his usual combative self and tried to drive his side on, but lost track of Borre for the goal. EPA

Kurt Zouma 5 - Got dragged into no man’s land for Cresswell’s sending off and was slow to pick up Knauff’s run for the first goal. Almost prodded the ball home when Bowen whipped in a dangerous free kick two minutes from the end of the first half. EPA

Vladimir Coufal 6 - Didn’t give Kostic many opportunities on a night when West Ham had a lot of defending to do. EPA

Tomas Soucek 6 - The hardworking midfielder found it difficult against a dominant Frankfurt midfield, but didn’t stop working to find a breakthrough. Had a header in the 90th minute that he attacked well, but should’ve hit the target. PA

Declan Rice 7 - The Hammer’s captain gave everything he had to marshall his troops and provide stability for his side to launch attacks. Couldn’t stamp his authority as much as he usually does due to Frankfurt having the overload, but performed well. AFP

Pablo Fornals 8 – Covered every blade of grass in an effort to make up for the Hammers being a man down for most of the game. Ran himself into the ground and was replaced by Benrahma after 73 minutes. EPA

Manuel Lanzini 5 - Was sacrificed as David Moyes reshuffled his 10 men. AFP

Jarrod Bowen 7 - Loves doing the dirty work just as much as being an attacking threat, but couldn’t really build on the latter. EPA

Michail Antonio 8 - Led the line on his own for the most part and was the visitors’ biggest threat. Excellent cross for Dawson on the hour. Fired straight at Trapp from the angle in the dying minutes. Deserved a goal for his efforts. EPA

SUBS: Ben Johnson 5 - Replaced Lanzini on 21 minutes and was up against Knauff once again. He didn’t fair any better on this occasion and struggled to contain Frankfurt’s danger man. EPA

Said Benrahma 6 - Replaced Fornals on 73 minutes and caused problems for the home side just when Frankfurt were looking comfortable. Getty Images

Andriy YYarmolenko N/A - Replaced Coufal with three minutes to go. Reuters

Leipzig lost just once in 19 games between January and April, but have now been beaten in three of their last four to put their chances of Champions League football next season hanging in the balance.

"We knew what to expect, but experiencing this kind of atmosphere in person is something different," said Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff. "This is part of a recent negative trend and it's come at the worst time in the final stretch."

The Germans enjoyed the majority of the ball in the second half and were back on level terms in the tie when Nkunku steered home his 32nd goal of the season from Angelino's cross.

Rangers then had to dig deep just to keep Leipzig at bay, but they found the winner late on.

Kent's cross to the back post caused panic in the Leipzig defence and the loose ball broke to Lundstram to stroke into an unguarded net and spark wild scenes of celebration.

"I'm very proud of the achievement so far," said Van Bronckhorst. "Once you are in the final, we have to do everything to win it as well."