Rangers 0 – 1 Benfica

Rangers crashed out of the Europa League after a 1-0 residence defeat to Benfica, exiting Europe’s second-tier competitors 2-3 on combination.

Philippe Clement’s facet have been filled with confidence after a dramatic 2-2 attract Lisbon within the first leg and had the most effective of the primary half because the rain lashed down at Ibrox.

Cyriel Dessers got here near opening the scoring earlier than the guests took benefit of some poor defending.

Rafa Silva pounced on a ball on the midway line and raced clear earlier than firing previous Jack Butland. The offside flag was up however the purpose was awarded after a prolonged VAR verify.

The consequence sends Benfica into Friday’s quarter-final draw whereas Rangers’ consideration returns to home duties and their bid to clinch the Scottish Premiership title.

How Rangers’ Europa League journey ended

The Rangers followers within the Broomloan Stand produced a large pre-match show that confirmed their sights have been very a lot on the highway to Dublin for the ultimate on Might 22 forward of the last-16 second leg, however there might be no repeat of the membership’s run to the 2022 remaining.

Benfica had some good early possession however Rangers had the primary actual probability when Tom Lawrence mixed with Fabio Silva and fired a shot which Anatoliy Trubin let by his legs. The visiting goalkeeper was lucky to see the ball trundle extensive after hitting off his leg.

Lawrence quickly had one other probability when James Tavernier’s intelligent low nook gave him a free shot at purpose 15 yards out however he failed to attach correctly.

Jack Butland confirmed good fingers within the slippery circumstances to carry Alexander Bah’s long-range strike.

The primary half continued in a extra cagey vogue than that 2-2 attract Portugal.

John Souttar was impressing in central defence for Rangers and his cross nearly fell for Dessers earlier than Scott Wright slipped within the act of taking pictures from 22 yards and the ball sailed over.

Rangers survived a harmful Benfica assault after John Lundstram fluffed a move inside his personal half.

The house facet had an excellent probability on the counter-attack earlier than the break following good work from Wright, however Lawrence picked the incorrect possibility and performed in a clearly offside Dessers.

Dessers did get an opportunity early within the second half after Wright burst previous two opponents and performed the striker in. The ahead may need gone for purpose first time however he took a contact and his shot was heading for the far nook however deflected simply extensive.

The house facet saved on the strain however Benfica labored a very good probability for Casper Tengstedt following a slick break. The substitute shot straight at Butland from 12 yards.

Rangers have been once more uncovered from a counter-attack as Benfica took the lead for the primary time within the tie.

Angel Di Maria headed on a ball excessive and Rafa Silva raced clear earlier than slotting residence. The offside flag went up however a prolonged VAR verify determined the goalscorer was simply inside his personal half when the ball was performed on, and the
purpose was given.

Rangers’ makes an attempt to get again within the recreation weren’t helped by the floor water on the pitch slowing the ball down amid a day of incessant rain in Glasgow and Butland saved effectively from Bah as Benfica seemed to complete off the tie.

Lundstram bought an effort on course within the latter levels however Trubin saved comfortably and Rangers’ hopes ended when substitute Todd Cantwell stabbed extensive in stoppage-time.

What’s next?

Sunday seventeenth March 11:00am


Kick off 12:00pm

Rangers return to Scottish Premiership motion on Sunday because the leaders go to Dundee; kick-off 12pm, stay on Sky Sports activities.

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