Rangers twice surrendered the lead to attract the primary leg of their Europa League last-16 tie in opposition to Benfica 2-2.
Philippe Clement’s squad was hit by accidents however returning midfielder Tom Lawrence gave the guests a dramatic early lead with a header earlier than Angel Di Maria levelled with a penalty kick in first-half added time after VAR intervened to focus on that Gers defender John Souttar had used his arm contained in the field.
Gentle Blues’ utility participant Dujon Sterling restored the lead within the fifth of 5 minutes of added time along with his first profession purpose just for Gers defender Connor Goldson to go into his personal purpose halfway by the second half to take the tie again to Glasgow subsequent Thursday night time stage.
A lot of the pre-match discuss was round Clement’s restricted choices in assault. He was with out the companies of 4 injured wingers – Abdallah Sima, Scott Wright, Rabbi Matondo and Oscar Cortes – albeit the latter just isn’t within the European squad. With Ross McCausland solely match to start out on the bench, it meant no pure width in assault.
Portuguese attacker Fabio Silva, who spent two seasons with Benfica as a youth participant, supported important striker Cyriel Dessers from the left with Sterling working off the best.
Below-pressure dwelling boss Roger Schmidt was in search of his aspect to bounce again from their 5-0 thrashing by title rivals Porto on the weekend and he had a number of huge names within the beginning line-up together with Argentina World Cup winners Nicolas Otamendi and Di Maria.
Round 3,500 Rangers followers have been in place to see Gers goalkeeper Jack Butland make an early save at his close to submit from David Neres’ drive.
And moments later they have been off their seats cheering when Silva despatched Mohamed Diomande free contained in the field and he lifted the ball for the in-rushing Lawrence to go down previous diving keeper Anatoliy Trubin.
Butland then made a double save, first from Neres after which from striker Arthur Cabral from the unfastened ball, albeit his effort had been partially blocked by Souttar.
Nevertheless, after VAR Marco Fritz intervened following one other Benfica nook, the Gers defender was adjudged by referee German referee Tobias Stieler to have hit the ball along with his arm as he defended the supply and Di MarÃa despatched Butland the incorrect means along with his assured penalty.
There was extra first-half drama to come back within the remaining minute of the 5 added when Sterling, signed from Chelsea in the summertime, stole in to transform a deflected Silva cross from shut vary, with a VAR verify confirming his landmark purpose.
Either side went for extra targets from the beginning of the second half, with Cabral heading large on the again submit from a Rafa Silva cross earlier than Trubin blocked a Silva effort on the different finish.
Nevertheless, Benfica have been stage once more within the 67th minute when Di Maria floated in a free-kick from 35 yards and Goldson stretched to clear however solely despatched it previous Butland.
The house aspect sensed a winner was there for them and Di Maria one way or the other missed the goal from 12 yards.
Within the 77th minute Kemar Roofe, Ryan Jack and Cole McKinnon took over from Dessers, Lawrence and Sterling however Benfica’s regular stress continued to the ultimate whistle.
The return sport guarantees extra thrills and spills however Rangers will look to finish the job in Govan.
