Rangers placed on a fully beautiful efficiency as they noticed off nine-man Braga to seal a spot within the Europa League semi-final, though a late wobble which noticed the Portuguese facet take the tie to extra-time made issues tougher than they wanted to be.
It took the Gers simply 70 seconds to open the scoring and tie issues up on combination. Joe Aribo flicked on a Borna Barisic nook however regarded to have requested an excessive amount of of James Tavernier, however the right-back was at full-stretch as he struck from a good angle and despatched the house followers wild.
Simply over three minutes later, Rangers thought that they had a second. One other Barisic cross landed proper on the top of Kemar Roofe, however his effort was dominated out by VAR after the left-back was deemed to have dealt with the ball within the build-up.
That frantic tempo calmed down quickly after however Rangers continued to throw all the things on the Braga purpose, with Barisic’s crosses proving far an excessive amount of for the guests to take care of within the early levels.
Rangers had been dominant for the rest of the primary half and will have simply been three or 4 up. They got here shut once more by Roofe, who related with one other Aribo flick-on however may solely divert his effort onto the crossbar.
With just some minutes remaining within the first interval, Rangers had been awarded a penalty as Vítor Tormena barged into Roofe, with the Braga man incomes a straight pink card for his troubles. Up stepped Tavernier, who fired straight down the center to double Rangers’ benefit heading into the break.
The second half wasn’t as chaotic as the primary. Braga determined to truly make a sport of this, though they did not come near threatening the dominant hosts.
Roofe had the ball behind the online once more with a pleasant chip 20 minutes from time, however the offside flag went up and VAR confirmed that the striker had gone only a second too quickly.
Aaron Ramsey additionally bought the ball into the online, however he did so by barrelling into the goalkeeper and bundling him over the road so, unsurprisingly, a free kick was given as a substitute.
Out of nowhere, Braga pulled one again by a David Carmo header, which levelled the rating on combination with ten minutes to go.
The guests lastly began to point out some menace after that purpose, with Rangers made to work arduous to hold on and see the sport by to extra-time.
Rangers had been a bit of scrappy after play resumed however restored the lead they so genuinely-earned within the one hundredth minute as Roofe lastly prevented the VAR’s wrath as he tapped house from an Aribo cross.
To make issues worse for Braga, substitute Iuri Medeiros was proven two yellow playing cards in a single swoop – one for a nasty foul and one for complaining about it – leaving the guests with simply 9 males for the second interval.
Rangers may, and will, have had extra after the interval. Scott Arfield, who had solely simply come on, sliced one effort and hit the bar from two yards out just some minutes later.
Happily for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s males, it did not matter as they held on to seal a date with RB Leipzig within the semi-final.
Allan McGregor (GK) – 6/10 – Had little or no to do all through and can be gutted to not have bagged a clear sheet.
James Tavernier (RB) – 9/10 – Completely sensational. Got here up huge with the objectives however was completely dominant in all the things he did at each ends of the sphere.
Connor Goldson (CB) – 6/10 – Did not actually have an entire lot to do. Had a backseat function as his fellow defenders shone. Caught out for Carmo’s late header.
Calvin Bassey (CB) – 9/10 – Composed in defence and a few excellent passing forwards. An unreal ball for Roofe’s penalty win.
Borna Barisic (LB) – 9/10 – Like a person possessed together with his crosses. Assisted the primary, then very unfortunate to have a second dominated out. Might have simply had masses extra too. Braga could not reside with him.
John Lundstram (DM) – 9/10 – Utterly dominated the midfield battle. His finest sport in a Rangers shirt to this point, and it isn’t even shut.
Ryan Jack (DM) – 7/10 – If we’re being choosy, he was a bit of conservative together with his passing, however he gave Rangers the stable basis from which to construct. Good and composed.
Aaron Ramsey (RM) – 8/10 – Surprisingly performed out huge however used his elite imaginative and prescient to drag the strings from there. Relied on his imaginative and prescient to compensate for his restricted health. So stylish.
Joe Aribo (AM) – 9/10 – By no means seen anyone win as many flick-ons as this. A dominant pressure with all the things he did and was unfortunate to not seize extra than simply the one help, An actual man-vs-boys vibe together with his energy.
Ryan Kent (LM) – 8/10 – A large menace down the left. Mixed with Barisic to perfection.
Kemar Roofe (ST) – 9/10 – Labored so arduous up high and deserved way over the one purpose he ended up with.
Glen Kamara (CM, 80′ for Jack) – 6/10 – Felt just like the unsuitable change. Regarded awkward in midfield and no shock that Braga bought again into the sport after he joined. Did, nevertheless, handle some good work for the eventual winner.
Scott Wright (RM, 80′ for Ramsey) – 6/10 – A number of good strikes however did not supply the identical menace as Ramsey.
Leon Balogun (CB, 90′ for Barisic) – 6/10 – Restored some order after his introduction.
Scott Arfield (AM, 105′ for Aribo) – 5/10 – In some way missed two sitters inside minutes of approaching.
Trend Sakala (ST, 105′ for Roofe) – 6/10 – Put himself about for the ultimate 15.
Source_link
