Resilient Rangers prevailed in an absorbing Europa League thriller with Real Betis to top the group and progress to the competition’s last 16.
The Scottish Premiership side thundered into the lead thanks to a belting finish from Abdallah Sima, before Juan Miranda’s arrowed strike almost immediately restored parity for the Spanish hosts.
After withstanding severe pressure in Seville, Cyriel Dessers came alive to restore the visitors’ lead, but another equaliser from Ayoze Perez capped an incredible first half.
With Sparta Prague strolling to victory against Aris Limassol, Philippe Clement knew his side needed a winner, which came with 12 minutes left as substitute Kemar Roofe forced the ball home to spark celebratory scenes.
The cauldron of the Estadio Benito Villamarin could easily have daunted a Rangers side that knew victory was a likely necessity, but the bold visitors cut through the noise in an instant to strike first.
Sima has shown ruthlessness like no other player in blue this season, and did so again by thumping the ball out of the path of a flailing Dessers to send the travelling support wild.
Their celebrations would be curtailed in stunning fashion, though, as Betis immediately reminded Rangers of their quality when Miranda’s lashed finished threatened to burst the side-netting.
Now, Rangers were rattled. Ben Davies had to block bravely before Jack Butland was called into action with two stunning saves – the second of which tipped Andres Guardado’s thunderbolt crashing onto the crossbar.
Just as it looked as if Clement’s side were becoming swamped, two of their struggling signings combined to push against the pressure.
Jose Cifuentes’ outrageous reverse pass found Dessers, who still had so much to do. The forward who has frustrated Rangers fans skipped past two Betis bodies and rolled the ball through the legs of Rui Silva.
The hosts would soon retort in style again. Isco, who has been rejuvenated to his gracious best, danced on the edge of the box before feeding Perez. One gorgeous sweep of a boot later and this game of madness was once again level.
The second half started with another whack of the woodwork as Assane Diao rose at a corner to bounce one off the bar.
Once the imposing stadium had been silenced when VAR prevented Betis from taking the lead for the first time, there was a sense that Rangers would have one more chance to save their status in the competition.
It was far from pretty, but Rabbi Matondo’s fresh air swing allowed the ball to roll towards Roofe, who was in the right place at right time to rubberstamp Rangers’ ticket to the last 16.
Player of the match – Dujon Sterling (Rangers)
