BRAVE Rangers went down fighting like lions in Spain on Tuesday night as they cruelly fell out of the Champions League on the away goals rule.
Peter Lovenkrands had put them in dreamland with a crucial strike after just 11 minutes but Villarreal skipper Rodolfo Arruabarrena scored four minutes into the second half.
In the end it was enough to see the Spaniards through but Rangers can be proud of their efforts as the European adventure came to an end.
There were Rangers fans in all areas of the Madrigal because they knew that this could be a magical night.
After just 11 minutes they firmly believed that their Champions League dream could become a reality.
Rangers roared into the lead with a fantastic opportunistic goal which stunned the home supporters and sent the travelling Bears into delirium.
It was all down to the sharpness and anticipation of Peter Lovenkrands who has been such a star for Rangers in this European campaign.
The deadly Dane intercepted a poor pass from Villarreal skipper Arruabarrena some 35 yards out and suddenly Rangers were in a terrific situation.
Lovenkrands quickly played in Thomas Buffel on the left side of the box.
Instinctively, Buffel tried to find Barry Ferguson who had burst into the box. Sebastian Viera came racing from his line in attempt to clear the danger but spilled the ball into the path of Lovenkrands.
Euro specialist Pete, who had scored against Porto, Inter and of course Villarreal two weeks ago, did not need an invitation as he slotted a right foot shot into the right corner of the net.
It was a fantastic start for Rangers, but they had been bright from the opening whistle and looked really in the mood for the task they faced.
There was urgency all over the field with Buffel and Lovenkrands looking so lively and Barry Ferguson played to his best on the highest of stages.
Indeed Buffel forced a very smart save from Viera after just six minutes when he played a neat one-two with Lovenkrands following a quick Ferguson free kick.
Defensively, Rangers were sound too as they denied Villarreal the possession they craved.
In saying that, Alan Hutton found Riquelme a real handful at times and when he was cautioned for a silly push on Arruabarrena it made his beat even more difficult.
Ian Murray was also cautioned in the first half for a foul on Senna although the decision seemed harsh as he claimed the ball and then the man.
Villarreal made nothing of the free kick situation, but as the half drew to a close they looked increasingly menacing.
Five minutes before half-time they came mightily close to levelling the match with their first shot of the game.
Remarkably, the move started when Rangers were on the offensive. Buffel tried an ambitious back heel on the edge of the box and his intended pass was intercepted by Gonzalo.
With great purpose, the centre back burst forward catching Rangers on their heels and then played a great ball through to Diego Forlan.
The former Manchester United man was clean through on Ronald Waterreus and few would have bet against him scoring but Waterreus produced a fantastic save with his feet.
It was a clear warning, however, of how dangerous Villarreal can be and they did level just four minutes into the second half which was a hammer blow to Rangers.
It was all done to the quality of Riquelme. With three players around him, he produced a fantastic reverse pass to send Forlan free on the right side of the box.
The Uruguayan drove the ball across the face of goal and Arruabarrena was at the back post to fire a left foot shot into the net.
So Rangers had it all to do again and this time it was even tougher as the Spaniards were a far different proposition.
Alex McLeish decided to change things and on came Scotland’s tops scorer Kris Boyd for Buffel after 63 minutes. However, it was Villarreal who were looking the more dangerous.
Indeed only the dexterity of Waterreus denied them from taking the lead in 64 minutes. Guillermo Franco, who had replaced Jose Mari at half-time, hammered a right foot volley after being set up by Forlan but Waterreus was equal to it with a wonderful save.
The Dutchman had to be alert again in 67 minutes when he stopped a Franco header following Josico’s cross.
Rangers were still in it though and with 15 minutes they thought their chance had come.
Little Chris Burke found some space on the right and hit a terrific low cross to the near post. Boyd was there ahead of Pena but inexplicably mis-kicked from just four yards out.
Rangers were heartened by the opportunity and seemed to find a new gear as they tried to keep their dream alive.
It was all Rangers in the closing stages as Nacho Novo was sent on to try to conjur up something.
But in the end they could not find another goal and the Euro dream was over.
VILLARREAL (4-4-2): 13-Viera; 17-Javi Venta (14-Hector Font 45), 2-Gonzalo, 22-Pena, 3-Arruabarrena; 19-Senna, 18-Tacchinardi, 8-Riquelme (11-Calleja 85), 6-Josico; 5-Forlan, 23-Jose Mari (99-Franco 45)
Subs not used: 25-Barbosa, 7-Guayre, 16-Quique Alvarez, 30-Alcantre.
Bookings: Arruabarrena (22), Josico (39), Viera (51), Tacchinardi (52), Franco 87)
RANGERS (4-4-1-1): 25-Waterreus; 20-Hutton, 14-Kyrgiakos, 16-Rodriguez, 24-Murray; 17-Burke (10-Novo 86), 7-Hemdani, 6-Ferguson, 31-Namouchi; 4-Buffel (27-Boyd 63); 26-Lovenkrands.
Subs not used: 1-Klos, 2-Ricksen, 3-Bernard, 5-Andrews, 11-Rae.
Bookings: Murray (17), Hutton (23)
Ref: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg)
Key man: Barry Ferguson – An inspiration all night.
Bookings: Murray (17), Hutton (23)
Ref: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg)
Key man: Barry Ferguson – An inspiration all night.