RANGERS’ UEFA Women’s Champions League journey came to an end this evening with a 2-1 defeat to Benfica in Portugal after extra time.
It was a strong defensive display from the Light Blues as a goal for 16-year-old Emma Watson sent the match beyond the 90, with the score 3-3 on aggregate.
However, extra time goals from Cloe Lacasse and Jessica Silva saw the Portuguese champions through to the group stage of the competition.
Malky Thomson named one change from last week’s first-leg at Ibrox with Jenny Danielsson missing out through injury and Lizzie Arnot coming into the starting XI.
Rangers lined-up with Victoria Esson in goal and a back four of Nicola Docherty, Lisa Martinez, Tessel Middag and Rachel McLauchlan.
Kirsty McLean, Chelsea Cornet and Sam Kerr made up the midfield three with Lizzie Arnot and Brogan Hay supporting Kayla McCoy upfront.
The hosts had the majority of the ball in the opening stages of the game as they looked to start strong in front of the home supporters. Ana Vitoria, who scored twice at Ibrox last week, drove to the byline before cutting the ball into the box but it was blocked by Vic Esson.
Rangers had a chance of their own just after the 15 minute mark as Lizzie Arnot picked out Chelsea Cornet who floated a ball forward into the path of Kayla McCoy. The Jamaican international turned well but couldn’t get a strong enough connection to divert the ball goalwards.
Benfica were continuing to cause problems for Rangers as Cloe Lacasse drove down the right wing before finding Andreia Norton on the edge of the box. The midfielder set the ball up nicely for Andreia Faria who curled a left-footed shot towards goal but it was tipped wide by Victoria Esson.
From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Ana Vitoria who struck a powerful shot but was denied by Esson who gathered the ball.
With 27 minutes on the clock, Esson was again called into action as Andreia Fari released another dangerous shot at goal but the Rangers goalkeeper got a strong hand to the effort to turn it behind for a corner.
Silva Valeria had a low drilled effort go just wide of the post, before the winger saw another shot deflected and blocked by a number of bodies in the Rangers box as the Portuguese side pushed for the opening goal.
Cloe Lacasse came even closer for Benfica as she rattled a shot off the post from inside the box.
With the last kick of the ball at the end of the first-half, Rangers were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position as Lizzie Arnot whipped the ball into the box but it was held by Benfica goalkeeper Rute Costa.
Into the second-half, Ana Vitoria drove towards goal and lifted a shot over Victoria Esson but couldn’t get enough of a dip on the ball as it was just over the crossbar, before Faria fired wide of the target with a shot from distance.
Malky Thomson made two changes to his side on the 57th minute as Lizzie Arnot and Kirsty Maclean were replaced by Maddie Nolf and Emma Watson.
With 25 minutes of the match remaining, Norton played the ball through to Benfica substitute Marta Cintra but her right-footed shot was wide of the target.
A better spell of attacking play for Rangers saw Rachel McLauchlan deliver a ball into the path of Emma Watson but the youngsters’ shot was held by Costa.
Shortly after, from the opposite flank, Nicola Docherty whipped the ball into the box which Kayla McCoy chested into the path of Chelsea Cornet who fired just wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.
Into the final 15 minutes, and with Rangers needing a goal in this game, Malky Thomson introduced striker Kirsty Howat in place of Brogan Hay.
Lisa Martinez had a header held by the keeper, while at the other end Victoria Esson pulled off another strong save to deny Vitoria for the home side. Before, Emma Watson played a fantastic ball out wide to Maddie Nolf, who took a touch beyond the defender before delivering a ball into the box but Chelsea Cornet touched it just wide of the target.
With 88 minutes on the clock, Rangers took advantage of their positive spell as they took the lead in Lisbon.
A corner was swung into the box by Maddie Nolf and in a crowded area, 16-year-old Emma Watson managed to get a touch on the ball to turn it into the back of the net for Rangers.
It was a fantastic end to the 90 minutes for Malky Thomson’s side as the goal and their strong defensive display sent the game to extra time.
Just two minutes into extra time, Benfica had a goal to make it 4-3 to the Portuguese side as Cloe Lacasse drove down the left and slotted in at the near post.
Thomson looked to freshen-up his side in extra time as he introduced Dina Orschmann and Jodi McLeary in place of Rachel McLauchlan and Kayla McCoy.
Into the second-half of extra time, Kirsty Howat came inches away from drawing Rangers level in this tie as Dina Orschmann’s cross met the head of the striker but it was agonisingly wide for Malky Thomson’s side.
Benfica were reduced to 10 players in the 111th minute as Lucia Alves was shown a second yellow card, with Sam Kerr also booked.
Rangers had a claim for a penalty in the final stages of extra time as Emma Watson was taken down in the box as the Light Blues looked to launch an attack at goal.
As Rangers pushed for the equaliser late in extra time, Benfica managed to increase their advantage as Jessica Silva turned the ball home to send them through in the competition.
RANGERS: Esson, Docherty, Martinez, Middag, McLauchlan (Orshmann, 98), Maclean (Watson, 57), Cornet, Kerr, Hay (Howat, 78), Arnot (Nolf, 57), McCoy (Mcleary, 98)
SUBS: Fife, Austin, Gray, Cavanagh, Inman.
Benfica: R. Costa, C.Costa, Seica, Alves, Pauleta, Faria, Norton (J.Silva, 109), Vitoria, Silva (Negraeo, 75), Lacasse, Raysla (Cintra, 58).
Subs: Talbert, Vilao, Rebelo, Correia, Ucheibe, Pintassilgo, Nogueira.
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