Rangers 1-0 Real Betis: Hosts record memorable home victory over Real Betis in UEFA Europa League clash

Abdallah Sima’s goal gave Rangers all three points against Real Betis on UEFA Europa League matchday one as the hosts recorded a fine win.

Michael Beale’s side had the first big chance of the evening after just five minutes. Kemar Roofe was able to slip in a great ball to Rabbi Matondo who could only fire his effort straight at Claudio Bravo.

Real Betis slowly came into the game and after 21 minutes they had a big chance to take the lead. Abde Ezzalzouli found space inside the penalty area but could only find Jack Butland’s gloves with his curled effort.

Rangers came out for the second half with more energy and attacking intent as they looked to impose themselves on the game.

Tom Lawrence came incredibly close to giving Rangers the lead after 52 minutes when his vicious, curling effort from distance caressed the outside of the post.

Just three minutes after hitting the post Rangers had struck the woodwork again, this time Borna Barisic’s superb free-kick cannoned off the crossbar.

Rangers finally made their second half pressure pay in the 67th minute when Abdallah Sima was on hand to poke home from close range after Bravo had made a stunning stop to deny Roofe.

Manuel Pellegrini tried to get his side back into the game, bringing attackers Willian Jose and Ayoze Perez off the bench but to no avail. Betis pushed for an equaliser but failed to create anything clear cut.

Ben Davies was superb tonight for Rangers, he defended well, winning five of his seven duels and making three clearances, he displayed real quality with the ball all evening with his passes into midfield and looked comfortable throughout. The biggest moment of the match came when Davies appeared to poke the ball over the line for Rangers’ opener, there is a big debate going on about whether the goal should go down as his or Abdellah Sima’s, but one thing is for certain, Rangers fans won’t mind who the goal goes to, the important thing for them is that it went in!

Rewind just four short months ago and it was heartbreak for Rangers in the final of this competition. Losing on penalties to Frankfurt in the final was a bitter pill to swallow for the Gers and it is something that will still hurt both the supporters and players but they took the first step to exercising those last season demons by kicking off this campaign with a win tonight. Three points at Ibrox against Real Betis, the team along with Rangers considered to be one of the favourites to progress from this group, was a magnificent way to start their Europa League journey. It hasn’t been plain sailing this season domestically for Rangers, already with two defeats on the board, mix that in with the 5-1 (7-3 agg) drubbing to PSV in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers and you’d have been forgiven for thinking Rangers would come into this with their confidence slightly knocked. Michael Beale’s side though were the better side, particularly in the second half, and although it’s early days, they played like a team who believe they have what it takes to go all the way again.

Rangers: Butland 7, Tavernier 6, Goldson 7, Davies 8, Barisic 7, Cifuentes 7, Lundstram 7, Sima 7, Lawrence 6, Matondo 7, Roofe 7 Subs: Lammers 6, Jack 7, Sterling N/A, Dessers N/A

Real Betis: Bravo 7, Vinicius 7, Bartra 7, Pezzella 6, Bellerin 7, Roca 7, Rodriguez 7, Henrique 6, Isco 8, Abde 7, Iglesias 6 Subs: Perez 6, Sanches 7, Jose 6, Diao 6

5’ FIRST CHANCE FOR RANGERS – Kemar Roofe plays a great through ball into Rabbi Matondo who fires his effort straight at Claudio Bravo.

21’ A BIG SAVE FROM BUTLAND – Ezzalzouli with the biggest chance of the match so far but he could only find Jack Butland’s gloves. The former Barcelona man opened his body up on the left-hand side of the box but couldn’t shape his shot enough to put it around Butland.

52’ JUST WIDE FROM LAWRENCE! – Tom Lawrence tries his luck from distance, hitting a swerving effort that flies just wide of the post.

55′ BARISIC OFF THE BAR! – Borna Barisic curls a beautiful effort from the free kick which crashes off the crossbar! Rangers are getting closer.

67’ GOAL! RANGERS! – The ball is bundled across the line after several attempts! Claudio Bravo pulls of a magnificent save to deny Roofe but Ben Davies is there to poke it home!

Rangers have beaten a Spanish side in Europe (UCL and Europa/UEFA Cup) for the first time since September 1985 (1-0 v Osasuna).