Even eight months down the line it still sends a shiver down the spine.
In the 88th minute of the Europa League Final, against the 10th best team in Germany Ryan Kent had one job to do.
With a goal eight yards wide and eight feet high from a distance of eight yards out he only needed to send the ball past the despairing figure of Kevin Trapp and the trophy would be parading through Larkhall, Bridgton, Bearsden and Kilwinning all summer long.
Fortunately it was Kent. He might be the master of the Step-Over but his only goal of 2022 was a heavily deflected effort away to Red Star Belgrade. There was no defender on hand in Seville, Kent shot weakly at goal, Trapp blocked and 18,000 thirsty bears were sent into extra time in the Sanchez Pisjuan Stadium.
?? #FlashbackFriday to Trapp’s incredible save ??@eintracht_eng || #UEL pic.twitter.com/xdD42HgsXS
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 3, 2023
Anxiety watching this clip still. Trapp will forever be in my heart.
— FPL Regret ? ??????? (@FplRegret) February 4, 2023
Thirty minutes of extra-time passed without a goal. Aaron Ramsey had replaced substitute Fashion Sakala during extra-time with the Welshman becoming a Scottish football hero when his penalty was saved by Trapp.
Following that failure Kent went on to play a key role in the worst ever Champions League campaign with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side losing all six matches with a goal difference of 2-22.
Still struggling pic.twitter.com/NdS4gHT9xW
— Guy (@watsonguy1979) February 3, 2023
??????????????? pic.twitter.com/gLnp503QkH
— Westiebhoy (@Westiebhoy1) February 3, 2023
The save that saved football
— NOTBIGKNOXY (@NOTBIGKNOXY) February 3, 2023
Soccer Football – Europa League – Semi Final – First Leg – RB Leipzig v Rangers – Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany – April 28, 2022 Rangers’ Ryan Kent looks dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Ah, summer-time, Seville and the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-PizJuan! Who can forget it?Toilet water by the mouthful.
Half-hearted Kent, Extra time and Hot Shot Ramsey!
Will we ever see the likes of it again? (I hope so!)
That is what you get for watching me! GIRUY.