Rangers Face Thrilling Benfica Battle with Two Comebacks
Rangers put on an impressive display in their Europa League last-16 tie against Benfica, securing a 2-2 draw in the first leg. The Scottish side showed great resilience as they twice took the lead in the match held in Lisbon.
The game started with an early goal from Rangers’ Tom Lawrence, who scored a perfectly executed header thanks to the excellent work of Mohamed Diomande on the left flank. However, just before halftime, Rangers conceded a controversial penalty when John Souttar unintentionally headed the ball against his own arm in the box. After a video assistant referee intervention, Angel Di Maria converted the penalty to equalize for Benfica.
Rangers didn’t let the setback affect them and responded immediately. Fabio Silva played a ball from the left that deflected off a defender and reached Dujon Sterling, who scored his first goal for the club. Benfica applied significant pressure in the second half, but Rangers’ defense held strong. However, a moment of misfortune occurred when Rangers defender Connor Goldson accidentally nodded the ball into his own net under no real pressure, giving Benfica their second equalizer.
Despite sustained pressure from Benfica, Rangers managed to maintain their composure and hold on for a creditable draw. The result reflects Rangers’ maturity and resilience in European competitions, which has been evident throughout their campaign. They have consistently shown that they can handle adversity and come away with positive results.
The decision to award the penalty was controversial, but Rangers responded brilliantly to the setback. Benfica had their chances, but they struggled to break down Rangers’ solid defense. The Scottish side can take confidence from their performance heading into the second leg at Ibrox.
Manager Philippe Clement expressed his pride in his team’s performance, highlighting their character, solidarity, and personality. He believes that if his team continues to show the same mentality they have displayed in recent months, it could be an amazing season for Rangers.
Looking ahead, Rangers face Hibernian in the Scottish Cup quarter-final before the second leg against Benfica. The team will be hoping to maintain their impressive form and continue their remarkable run in the Europa League.
Overall, Rangers’ performance against Benfica showcased their ability to compete at a high level in European competitions. Their resilience and maturity have been key factors in their success, and they will be looking to build on this momentum in the upcoming matches. With their strong defense and ability to capitalize on key moments, Rangers have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Europa League.