Rangers crashed out of the Europa League after a 1-0 home defeat to Benfica, exiting Europe’s second-tier competition 2-3 on aggregate.
Philippe Clement’s side were full of confidence after a dramatic 2-2 draw in Lisbon in the first leg and had the best of the first half as the rain lashed down at Ibrox.
Cyriel Dessers came close to opening the scoring before the visitors took advantage of some poor defending.
Rafa Silva pounced on a ball on the halfway line and raced clear before firing past Jack Butland. The offside flag was up but the goal was awarded after a lengthy VAR check.
The result sends Benfica into Friday’s quarter-final draw while Rangers’ attention returns to domestic duties and their bid to clinch the Scottish Premiership title.
How Rangers’ Europa League journey ended
The Rangers fans in the Broomloan Stand produced a massive pre-match display that showed their sights were very much on the road to Dublin for the final on May 22 ahead of the last-16 second leg, but there will be no repeat of the club’s run to the 2022 final
Benfica had some good early possession but Rangers had the first real chance when Tom Lawrence combined with Fabio Silva and fired a shot which Anatoliy Trubin let through his legs. The visiting goalkeeper was fortunate to see the ball trundle wide after hitting off his leg.
Lawrence soon had another chance when James Tavernier’s clever low corner gave him a free shot at goal 15 yards out but he failed to connect properly.
Jack Butland showed good hands in the slippery conditions to hold Alexander Bah’s long-range strike.
The first half continued in a more cagey fashion than that 2-2 draw in Portugal.
John Souttar was impressing in central defence for Rangers and his cross almost fell for Cyriel Dessers before Scott Wright slipped in the act of shooting from 22 yards and the ball sailed over.
Rangers survived a dangerous Benfica attack after John Lundstram fluffed a pass inside his own half.
Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers misses a chance
The home side had a great chance on the counter-attack before the break following good work from Wright, but Lawrence picked the wrong option and played in a clearly offside Dessers.
Dessers did get a chance early in the second half after Wright burst past two opponents and played the striker in. The forward might have gone for goal first time but he took a touch and his shot was heading for the far corner but deflected just wide.
The home side kept on the pressure but Benfica worked a good chance for Casper Tengstedt following a slick break. The substitute shot straight at Butland from 12 yards.
Rangers were again exposed from a counter-attack as Benfica took the lead for the first time in the tie.
Benfica’s Rafa Silva (left) celebrates with Joao Neves
Angel Di Maria headed on a ball over the top and Rafa Silva raced clear before slotting home. The offside flag went up but a lengthy VAR check decided the goalscorer was just inside his own half when the ball was played on, and the
goal was given.
Rangers’ attempts to get back in the game were not helped by the surface water on the pitch slowing the ball down amid a day of incessant rain in Glasgow and Butland saved well from Bah as Benfica looked to finish off the tie.
Lundstram got an effort on target in the latter stages but Trubin saved comfortably and Rangers’ hopes ended when substitute Todd Cantwell stabbed wide in stoppage-time.
What’s next?
Sunday 17th March 11:00am
Kick off 12:00pm
Rangers return to Scottish Premiership action on Sunday as the leaders go to Dundee; kick-off 12pm, live on Sky Sports.
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