Rangers Score Twice to Draw with Benfica

Benfica 2 – Di Maria (45+2′) Goldson (67’og)

Rangers 2 – Lawrence (7′) Sterling (45+5)

Benfica had to come from behind twice to snatch a draw against a determined Rangers side.

The Portuguese side started the game well, forcing a couple of early corners and looking certain to maintain their 100% home record in the Europa League.

However, Rangers had clearly not read the script, and opened the scoring in the seventh minute as Mohammed Diomande’s cross met the head of Tom Lawrence, who nodded beyond Anatoliy Trubin.

Five minutes later, Benfica almost equalised as David Neres forced a good save from Jack Butland; Arthur Cabral looked to turn the follow up in, but John Souttar threw himself at the ball to prevent an almost certain goal.

Benfica did eventually equalise, with Angel Di Maria cooly slotting a penalty beyond Butland after Souttar was judged to have handled the ball in the box.

Any thoughts the home side had of going into the break with the scores even were immediately dashed as Fabio Silva, an ex-Porto player, flashed the ball across the box for Dujon Sterling to poke in.

Benfica began the second half with a renewed sense of vigour and looked determined to get something from the game,

Five minutes into the half, Rafa Silva made a good run down the right flank and found David Neres in the middle of the box, but Connor Goldson and James Tavernier combined to prevent the Brazilian from scoring.

Shortly after, Di Maria had the ball in the Rangers net, however the referee had already blown for offside long before.

Just after the hour mark, Fabio Silva almost doubled the Gers lead, forcing a strong save from Trubin.

Benfica did eventually find a second goal as Di Maria swung in a cross from a deep free kick which Goldson turned into his own net.

From there, Benfica seemed the stronger side, pushing to score a goal to give them something to hold on to at Ibrox.

However, their attempts to find a winner were ultimately fruitless, with Rangers thwarting every attack to ensure the two sides go into the second leg on level pegging.

Despite being disappointed that they couldn’t hold their lead, the Gers will fancy their chances at home in the second leg.

Ibrox has been a fortress for the Teddy Bears in the Europa League, with Braga, RB Leipzig and Real Betis all being defeated in Glasgow in recent years.

The second leg will take place next Thursday at 17:45.