RANGERS will be hoping for another magical Ibrox night to make it to the Europa League semi-final.
Former Barcelona star Abel Ruiz netted the only goal of the game in Northern Portugal to give Braga a slim advantage heading into next week’s second leg.
That’s all from Portugal
It’s the end of the evening – but not the end of this tie.
Despite defeat in Braga tonight, Rangers are still in this quarter-final and will fancy their chances of overturning a one-goal deficit in front of a full house at Ibrox next week.
You won’t want to miss a kick of what is sure to be an intriguing second leg, and you won’t with us here at SunSport.
Until next Thursday, thanks for joining us and goodnight.
Ramsey remains on Rangers bench
Many watching fans, both inside Estadio Municipal de Braga and back at home in Glasgow, were confused by Aaron Ramsey’s lack of gametime this evening.
The Welsh international was dropped to the bench after scoring in Sunday’s Old Firm derby, and failed to make an appearance in the second half despite five substitutions at Rangers’ disposal.
There were pre-match rumours suggesting that Ramsey was carrying a knock, but manager Giovani van Bronckhurst afterwards confirmed that the midfielder was fully fit to feature.
Gio sees second half improvements
Rangers manager Giovani van Bronckhorst believes his side’s second half showing – particularly once changes were made – can be the basis for them turning this quarter-final around at Ibrox next week.
It was a hard game. We conceded the goal and then tried to push for the 1-1 in the second half. In the last 20 minutes, we had more control.
They’re a side that transition really quickly so we had to be careful in those moments. On the ball, we should have tried more to break the lines – especially in the first half. We did that much better in the second half.
It’s a one-goal difference. Next week we play with the crowd behind us, we have to win by a margin of two, and then go to the semis. We know what the task is ahead of us.
Giovani van Bronkhorst
Rusty Rangers fail to threaten
Without Alfredo Morelos in their ranks, Rangers struggled to make a dent in Braga’s defence, and for the first time in 13 years, came off the pitch at the end of a European tie without having worked the opposition goalkeeper.
Credit: @OptaJoe Twitter Great Scott! Arfield still believes
Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield insisted immediately after the final whistle that the Scottish Premiership are still capable of turning this quarter-final around despite defeat in Portugal.
It was a bit different. It was like a basketball game in the first half with two teams trying to win it. In the second half, we made it more difficult for them without creating any clearcut chances. We take it back to Ibrox, we’re only one behind, and we feel as though we can win this tie.
Scott Arfield
Facts from the first leg
Glasgow Rangers edged the possession and the passes, but failed to register a shot on target.
Full time – Braga 1-0 Rangers
It’s advantage Braga after the first leg – but only just.
Rangers were better in the second half, but didn’t do enough to really threaten an equaliser while the hosts failed to capitalise on Abel Ruiz’s opener.
In the end, both sides appeared satisfied with the 1-0 scoreline, and attention will now turn to the second leg at Ibrox in seven days’ time.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
90+1. Inside three minutes of additional time, and the hosts look to have this first leg won.
They’re keeping possession of the ball upfield, away from danger.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
89. Rather than pinging the set-piece into the area, the visitors try to work an opening.
The decision looks to have failed at first, but then suddenly a cross comes in and it falls invitingly for Bassey ten yards from goal. The defender lets fly first time, but crashes his shot into the nearest opponent.
That. Was. The. Chance.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
88. Rangers work a neat opening on the right wing, and Goldson looks ready to burst into the box, only for Carmo to dive in and bring him down.
The Braga defender is already on a yellow card, but somehow avoids a second caution and a sending off that would keep him out of the second leg.
Rangers will have to make do with a free-kick in a very promising position on the edge of the box.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
86. Arfield gives Lundstram an earful for a poor pass into the box just as Rangers appeared to have opened up the Braga defence.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
85. Inside the final five minutes, and the game – and the tie – remains on a knife edge.
Five thousand Rangers fans have made the journey to Portugal. Will they be rewarded with a goal before they depart?
Braga 1-0 Rangers
83. Barisic takes his time, takes his opportunity, and crosses into the penalty area.
Roofe takes his time, takes his opportunity, and takes out the goalkeeper.
Braga 1-0 Rangers – Braga substitutions
82. Another two changes for the hosts.
Carlos Carvalhal sends on Andre Castro and Lucas Mineiro for Al Musrati and Andre Horta.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
80. On his 100th European appearance for Rangers, Allan McGregor is called into action – and responds in the most unorthodox fashion.
The 40-year-old deals with Andre Horta’s long range strike by blocking with his forearm.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
78. The game is becoming stretched, and very open.
Do these sides not realise there’s still another 90 minutes to be played back in Glasgow?
Braga 1-0 Rangers – Braga substitutions
75. The Portuguese side make their first changes of the game.
Goalscorer Abel Ruiz goes off, as does Iuri Medeiros. Vitor Oliviera and Miguel Fale will play the last quarter of an hour.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
73. Rangers come forward again, and Roofe almost gets on the end of a low delivery from the right.
The ball is still active in the area, but before the substitute can react, the referee’s whistle penalises him for offside.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
71. Not far away!
Arfield’s delivery from the right is met at the far post by the looping header of Goldson back across goal.
The Braga players are motionless – most of them appealing for a foul – and can only watch on as the ball drops a yard wide.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
69. Calvin Bassey has been one of Rangers’ better performers this evening in a defensive capacity, and now shows his ability in possession.
The left-back brings the ball out of defence and sparks an attack that involves Tavernier and Arfield.
Rangers win a corner.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
66. Here come Braga down the left.
Gomes is the man in possession, and gets beyond Tavernier. He comes inside and has a sight of goal, but sends his shot straight at McGregor.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
64. Both teams are asking questions now.
Rangers have been brighter in the past ten minutes, but can they find an equaliser?
Will their subs inject some attacking intent, or drain the momentum they were beginning to build?
Will Kemar Roofe spend the last 25 minutes in an offside position?
Braga 1-0 Rangers- Rangers substitutions
62. Here come those changes.
On comes Borna Barisic, Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe to replace Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack and Fashion Sakala.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
61. Yan Couto impresses again on the right flank. The 19-year-old has been very assured this evening.
Man City appear to have another gem on their hands.
Braga 1-0 Rangers
59. It looks as though Rangers are readying a change – or should that be changes.
It could be a triple substitution.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
