Rangers battle to well-deserved draw at Benfica in Europa League
Jack Butland was on hand to make a strong save to prevent the hosts from taking an early lead, beating away a fierce strike from David Neres.
That stop proved crucial moments later when the visitors took the lead through a wonderfully controlled Tom Lawrence header, as he met Mohamed Diomande‘s cross near the penalty spot and nodded into the bottom corner.
That led to a chorus of boos from the home fans, still fuming after their side were on the wrong end of a 5-0 mauling at the hands of Porto at the weekend.
Tensions further rose as Butland denied Neres on two more occasions, but he was powerless to stop the Eagles equalising as the break approached when he was sent the wrong way by Ángel Di María’s spot-kick after VAR had intervened to perhaps harshly award a penalty against John Souttar for heading the ball onto his arm.
There was more drama to come before the break though, as Dujon Sterling restored the lead in the fifth minute off first-half stoppage time, perfectly timing his burst into the box to tap home Fábio Silva’s cross.
That was his first senior goal, and a second nearly followed after HT with an effort that was saved, while Silva also broke into the box before Anatoliy Trubin palmed his shot to safety.
Chances were in limited supply for Rangers in the second half though, as Benfica piled on the pressure in desperate search of an equaliser.
Roger Schmidt’s side eventually made it 2-2 through an own goal, when Goldson – who also put through his own net when the two teams met at the Estádio da Luz in 2020 – inadvertently headed Di María’s free-kick into his own net, before the Argentine should have got himself on the scoresheet, but dragged wide from close range.
Neither team was interested in settling for the draw, with Rafa Silva having the best of the chances for the hosts, only to skew way over the bar.
It means it’s all to play for in the return game next week, as Rangers look to repeat their heroics of reaching the final two years ago.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jack Butland (Rangers)
