Aberdeen took the scalp of Bundesliga heavyweights Eintracht Frankfurt to conclude their Europa Conference League campaign with a first European group-stage victory in nearly 16 years.
The Scottish Premiership side had their backs against the wall for the majority of the first half against a side who thrashed Bayern Munich at the weekend.
But Pittodrie erupted when Duk slid in his third goal in the competition, sweeping in Shayden Morris’ low cross from the right.
A more progressive second-half performance was capped by Ester Sokler’s cute finish to send Barry Robson’s side into Sunday’s Viaplay Cup final against Rangers full of confidence.
Despite the victory, Aberdeen are out of Europe having finished third in Group G, while Eintracht progress in second spot in the group.
With Sunday’s Hampden showpiece in mind, Robson made eight changes and hoped the “freshness” of his young team could upset Eintracht’s rhythm.
His hopes were far from realised initially, with Aberdeen failing to garner anything resembling a chance in the visitors’ box for much of the first half.
Eintracht had nothing to show for their dominance, though, with their profligacy punished moments before the break by Duk.
In a far more balanced second period, the hosts discovered their own groove.
Substitute Nicky Devlin claimed for a penalty but it was quickly forgotten when Dante Polvara sent a teasing ball over the top for Sokler to cushion in.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Aberdeen
Formation 5-4-1
- 24Roos
- 28MilneSubstituted forDevlinat 71′minutes
- 33Rubezic
- 27MacDonald
- 6GartenmannSubstituted forJensenat 62′minutes
- 15McGarrySubstituted forHayesat 78′minutes
- 20MorrisSubstituted forMcGrathat 71′minutes
- 21Polvara
- 8Barron
- 23Duncan
- 11Henriques de Barros LopesSubstituted forSoklerat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Devlin
- 4Shinnie
- 5Jensen
- 7McGrath
- 10Clarkson
- 14Guèye
- 17Hayes
- 18R Williams
- 19Sokler
- 30Dadia
- 31Doohan
- 32Marshall
Frankfurt
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1TrappSubstituted forGrahlat 45′minutes
- 47Baum
- 4KochSubstituted forSilva Meloat 75′minutes
- 5Smolcic
- 29Nkounkou
- 20Hasebe
- 23Hauge
- 27GötzeSubstituted forKnauffat 60′minutes
- 16Larsson
- 26Dina EbimbeSubstituted forAaronsonat 9′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 18NgankamSubstituted forFerriat 75′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Pacho
- 24Buta
- 30Aaronson
- 33Grahl
- 35Silva Melo
- 36Knauff
- 42Gauer
- 48Ferri
- Referee:
- Miguel Bértolo Nogueira
Live Text
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Match ends, Aberdeen 2, Eintracht Frankfurt 0.
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Second Half ends, Aberdeen 2, Eintracht Frankfurt 0.
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Hrvoje Smolcic (Eintracht Frankfurt) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ester Sokler (Aberdeen).
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Foul by Niels Nkounkou (Eintracht Frankfurt).
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Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt).
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Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Jens Petter Hauge (Eintracht Frankfurt) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Elias Baum.
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Corner, Eintracht Frankfurt. Conceded by Connor Barron.
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Offside, Eintracht Frankfurt. Paxten Aaronson is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Ansgar Knauff (Eintracht Frankfurt) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Paxten Aaronson.
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Substitution, Aberdeen. Jonny Hayes replaces James McGarry because of an injury.
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Substitution, Eintracht Frankfurt. Nacho Ferri replaces Jessic Ngankam.
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Substitution, Eintracht Frankfurt. Tuta replaces Robin Koch.
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Goal! Aberdeen 2, Eintracht Frankfurt 0. Ester Sokler (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Dante Polvara with a through ball.
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Elias Baum (Eintracht Frankfurt) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ryan Duncan (Aberdeen).
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Foul by Jessic Ngankam (Eintracht Frankfurt).
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key = Give it up = Pure perfection
Aberdeen
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Squad number24Player nameRoos
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Squad number28Player nameMilne
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Squad number33Player nameRubezic
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Squad number27Player nameMacDonald
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Squad number6Player nameGartenmann
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Squad number15Player nameMcGarry
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Squad number20Player nameMorris
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Squad number21Player namePolvara
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Squad number8Player nameBarron
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Squad number23Player nameDuncan
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Squad number11Player nameDuk
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Squad number2Player nameDevlin
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Squad number5Player nameJensen
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Squad number7Player nameMcGrath
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Squad number17Player nameHayes
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Squad number19Player nameSokler
Eintracht Frankfurt
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Squad number1Player nameTrapp
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Squad number47Player nameBaum
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Squad number4Player nameKoch
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Squad number5Player nameSmolcic
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Squad number29Player nameNkounkou
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Squad number20Player nameHasebe
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Squad number23Player nameHauge
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Squad number27Player nameGötze
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Squad number16Player nameLarsson
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Squad number26Player nameDina Ebimbe
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Squad number18Player nameNgankam
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Squad number30Player nameAaronson
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Squad number33Player nameGrahl
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Squad number35Player nameTuta
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Squad number36Player nameKnauff
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Squad number48Player nameFerri