The UEFA Europa League game between Benfica and Rangers ended in a 2- 2 draw. The two teams displayed great eagerness and resilience as they strived to reach the quarter-finals.
Team’s lineup
RANGERS: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Ridvan, Lundstram, Diomande (Raskin 83) Lawrence (Jack, 77), Sterling (McKinnon, 77), Silva (McCausland, 90), Dessers (Roofe, 77).
Subs: McCrorie, K. Wright, Davies, Barisic, King, Raskin, Yfeko, Fraser.
Benfica: Trubin, Antonio Silva, Bah (Carreras 84), Neres (Gouveia 84), Aursnes, Cabral (Marcos Leonardo, 65), Di Maria, Rafa Silva, Otamendi, Florentino, Joao Neves.
Subs: Samuel Soares, Andre Gomes, Carreras, Morato, Orkun Kokcu, Tengstedt, Joao Mario, Rollheiser, Tomas Araujo, Tiago Gouveia, Diogo Spencer.
Benfica vs Rangers
Rangers produced an assured performance to score a 2-2 draw with Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.
Philippe Clement’s men had taken a shock lead after just seven minutes when Tom Lawrence headed home from Mohamed Diomande’s cross. It happened after good work down the left from Fabio Silva.
Host Benfica huffed for a leveler and eventually got one. John Souttar was penalized for a handball inside the box, and Argentine legend Angel Di Maria kept his cool to stroke the ball past Jack Butland. However, there was one more twist in the first half when the Gers capitalized on some slack. Benfica defended to regain the lead, with Dujon Sterling netting his first professional goal from Silva’s clever low cross.
Portuguese giants Benfica turned up the heat after the interval. They drew level again when Connor Goldson headed the ball into his own net. However, Clement’s side soaked up the pressure late on to claim a valuable share of the spoils.
Benfica penalty kick
In first-half injury time, the referee was called to the VAR monitor to review a potential penalty for Benfica. He pointed to the spot after reviewing the footage and judging a handball from John Souttar in the box. It was a build-up to a chance for the home side. Angel Di Maria stepped up to the spot and sent a low left-footed penalty into the back of the net beyond Butland.
Goalkeeper Save
Di María takes a corner at the far post. The goalkeeper parries it with one hand. Otamendi sends a volley over the top of the defense, and Butland tries to grab it. Benfica continue to attack. David Neres spins into the box and hits a firm shot. Butland pulls off a great save
Great miss
Rafa Silva had the chance to turn the game around when he appeared unmarked. He took a first-time shot that hit his shin and ended up going wide
Conclusion
Benfica and Rangers played out an entertaining draw in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on a rainswept night in Lisbon.
Benfica created plenty of chances but had to rely on a Di María penalty and an own goal by Connor Goldson to draw level and set up a finely balanced second in Glasgow next Thursday. Rangers will now fancy themselves to get the job done when Benfica make the trip to Govan next week.
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