The inclusion in the overtime of Kemar Ruuf sent Rangers to the Europa League semi-finals with a 3-1 (3-2 agg) victory over Braga’s brave team, which ended the match with nine people on a dramatic evening at Ibrox.
Giovanni van Bronhorst’s team was second better in the first game last week, but closed its deficit after just 69 seconds on Thursday when James Tavernier scored a blow in the back beam from Joe Aribo’s brilliant kick for a dream start.
Ruf thought he got a second in five minutes, but VAR noticed a handball in the build-up, and then the striker somehow hit a two-yard crossbar in the 32nd minute as the Rangers tried to destroy their dominance.
They did just that when Vitor Tormena was sent off for knocking down Rufus in the penalty area moments before half time, which allowed Tavernier to hit his second from the point to give the Rangers the lead in a draw and control of the match.
However, while Ruuf saw that another effort was ruled out in the second half – this time offside – and Aaron Ramsey put the ball into Braga’s net for the fifth time when he was booed for interfering with goalkeeper Mathews, Rangers could not find a third .
They were forced to pay for this waste in the 82nd minute, when out of nowhere Braga responded with a towering header from David Carmo from the first corner of the away match.
Draw for the semifinals of the Europa League
- RB Leipzig vs. Rangers
- West Ham against Eintracht Frankfurt
The tension was palpable around the entry of Ibrox in overtime, but with 101 minutes on the clock, Ruf’s perseverance paid off when he was in the perfect position to complete Aribo’s low cross in six yards.
More fireworks were forthcoming, with Yuri Medeiros showing two yellows in quick succession for a late hit and then a disagreement before Scott Arfield crashed into the crossbar, but the final referee signal sparked ecstatic celebrations from the hosts and their supporters as Rangers headed for their first. European semi-final since UEFA Cup runners-up finished in 2008
Team news
John Lundstrum was able to start after coming out injured against St. Mirren, but with Philip Hellander out until the end of the season, Calvin Bassi took his place as central defender, as one of two changes.
Ryan Jack returned to the midfield and Fashion Sakala fell on the bench. Aaron Ramsey makes his first European start for Rangers.
Rangers, who must quickly turn their attention to Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic, will face RB Leipzig in the Europa League final four after Germany beat Atalanta 2-0 to secure a total. 3-1 victory. The first match will be on April 23, and the rematch will be on Ibrox on May 5.
If they manage to produce a performance like this, they will have hope. Rangers were transformed by the country, which failed to strike a single goal in the first meeting between these countries and Ibrox exploded when Tavernier took advantage of Aribo’s assist within two minutes.
Image: Rangers’ James Tavernier celebrates after a goal against Braga
These supporters were in the land of their dreams when Ruu scored with a header just moments after another good cross by Borna Barisic – but VAR interrupted their celebration because the ball touched the full-back’s hand during the move.
Image: Kemar Ruuf received an early header from VAR
There were more chances for Tavernier and Ruuf before Aribo’s shot was blocked and Ryan Kent shot from the side. Then came the shocking miss of Rufus, who crashed into the woodwork when he looked sure he was going to score.
Ruf scored a hat-trick over the weekend against St. Mirren and could have scored in the first half against Braga. He would see another effort, made in the second half, when an offside flag canceled his sweet lobby from another Aribo strike.
However, Rangers were in complete control of the break, with Tormena seeing red shortly before half-time and Tavernier making no 12-yard error to score his second goal of the game.
Braga holds the record for advancing from European matches after winning the first match (10 times) and this never seemed likely at this time. They managed just one shot in the first half with eleven men and posed no small threat for most of the second half with 10.
Image: Vitor Tormena was sent off to overthrow Kemar Ruuf – the first of two red cards for Braga
Aribo shot from the side, Ruuf saw a header from Paulo Oliveira, and Aaron Ramsey sent an effort as Rangers continued to press.
The Welshman was then properly booed for a foul when he collided with goalkeeper Matheus while passing the ball over the line in the 79th minute. But at the moment, it seemed only a matter of time before the Rangers scored again.
Instead, Braga’s combination of tenacious defense and luck gave them the platform to reach a sensational level eight minutes from the time Carmo got involved after a rare attack from the visitors.
The sequels started incompatible, with the hosts’ nerves clear, but the remarkable Aribo was the one who turned those fears into good-foot celebrations in the penalty area before shooting Ruuf for a simple final.
Medeiros made Rangers’ life easier with his stupid expulsion soon after, and although Arfield will feel he had to hit fourth when he hit the crossbar, Rangers calmly saw the final minutes of the first European semi-final in 14 years.
Gord Van Bronhorst: Great achievement
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst told BT Sport: “It was a great night and a great result for us. It was a match that went up and down: 10 men, nine men, decisions, goals scored, VAR, penalties, red cards… there was everything and it was quite fast, but in the end we reached the semifinals.
“I am very proud. Getting to the last four in Europe is a great achievement for everyone. We worked hard for that in the group stages and in the matches after that. We knew that the 1-0 loss in Braga was not a bad result.
“Against 10 men, nine men we could have played a little better, but I think the players were a little tense, a little nervous because you want to pass. But in the end, I’m happy for everyone, because we succeeded.
“We know we will play Leipzig in two games. It will be a busy schedule until the end, but you don’t want it to be any different. I’m really happy that we can give equality to the fans we can be proud of and continue in Europe is huge.
“The hat-trick that Ruuf scored last Sunday gave a lot of confidence and the important goal he scored to lead us. I’m really pleased with him and his performance. From the team’s point of view, we did everything to pass. We needed a great performance and we had it.
“Dreaming is good because it gives you the desire and the impetus to move forward. We need two big appearances against Leipzig, but we will enjoy tonight.
Opta – Rangers statistics ended a series of Braga
- Braga have dropped out of a two-stage UEFA elimination round in Europe after winning their first match for the first time since advancing in each of the previous 10 cases.
- Vitor Tormena’s red card was Braga’s fifth in the first half of the UEFA Europa League, most of all; five of their eight red cards in the race came before halftime. Thanks to his second red card in overtime, Braga became the first team to be expelled by two players in the UEFA Europa League elimination round after the Rangers in the 1/8 minute last season against Slavia Prague.
- James Tavernier has scored six goals in the UEFA Europa League this season for Rangers, most of them together with a Rangers player in one season in a major European competition (excluding qualifiers), along with Alfredo Morelos (2019-20) and James Forrest 1964-65).
- James Tavernier’s starting goal after 69 seconds was the earliest goal Rangers had ever scored in the UEFA Europa League, as well as the earliest Braga had ever conceded.
What’s next for Rangers?
Rangers returns to Sunday’s home game against Old Firm Celtic’s rival in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park; start at 2 p.m. Celtic boasts a six-point health advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership, which adds to the importance of Sunday’s match as the Germans seek to raise one against their neighbors.
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