Braga 1 – 0 Rangers

April 7, 2022 admin

Rangers struggled to threaten in front of goal as they lost their Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie against Braga, leaving them with it all to do at Ibrox if they are to reach the last four of the competition.

The visitors had the first chance of the game after just five minutes. Ryan Kent went through one on one with the goalkeeper after a lovely chip from Scott Arfield, but a poor touch let him down.

Fashion Sakala then tried to sweep in the rebound but his tame effort was easily saved.

Braga slowly grew into the game and Ricardo Horta saw his effort crash off the post as the hosts carved out an excellent opportunity.

Andre Horta then had the ball in the net soon after, but once again VAR helped Rangers in Europe this season with the goal rightly disallowed for a foul on Ryan Jack in the build-up.

Sakala should have then made it advantage Rangers soon after but his left-footed effort flew well over the bar.

Braga did take the lead five minutes before the break, Leon Balogun’s scuffed clearance allowed Abel Ruiz to fire past Allan McGregor on the goalkeeper’s 100th European appearance for Rangers.

Alfredo Morelos has been ruled out for the rest of the season and his absence was clear once again as the Ibrox side showed very little threat up front.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst make a triple change just after the hour mark with Borna Barisic, Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe coming on for Balogun, Jack and Sakala as he looked for some more attacking threat.

James Tavernier’s corner kick then found Connor Goldson in the box but the defender headed past the far post.

Rangers continued to search for an equaliser as Roofe smashed a shot over the bar from Arfield’s cross and Bassey had a shot blocked by the Braga defence.

Goldson then saw his effort cleared as the match headed into injury time leaving Rangers with a one-goal deficit to overturn when the Portuguese side visit Ibrox for the return leg in seven days’ time.

What’s next for Rangers?

Rangers return to Scottish Premiership action on Sunday when they travel to St Mirren live on Sky Sports Football; kick-off at 12pm. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side are six points behind leaders Celtic after last weekend’s Old Firm defeat.

The Europa League quarter-final second leg against Braga takes place at Ibrox on April 14; kick-off at 8pm.

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