Benfica 3-3 Rangers

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RANGERS came away from Lisbon with a point this evening after a 3-3 draw against Benfica in the UEFA Europa League.

There was late disappointment for the Gers, who had controlled large spells of the game at Estadio da Luz, as they were denied the victory as Darwin Nunez netted an injury time equaliser in the dying stages.

However, Steven Gerrard’s men remain unbeaten in Group D with an impressive seven points after the first three games.

The Gers were behind from a Connor Goldson own goal inside the first two minutes but responded well as Diogo Goncalves turned James Tavernier’s cross into his own net before a strike from Glen Kamara had the Light Blues ahead at the break.

An early second-half goal from Alfredo Morelos had Rangers 3-1 ahead before Rafa Silva reduced the deficit with 10 minutes remaining, before Nunez netted the late leveller.

From the side which beat Kilmarnock 1-0 on Sunday, Steven Gerrard made two changes to his side with Glen Kamara and Steven Davis coming in for Cedric Itten and Scott Arfield.

Jorge Jesus’ side featured of a host of experienced players including Brazilian internationalist Everton and Jan Vertonghen, who joined from Spurs in August.

With less than two minutes on the clock the hosts had the lead as Rafa Silva put early pressure on Filip Helander and came away with the ball at the by-line before cutting it across the face of goal.

Unfortunately for Rangers, the cross came off centre-back Connor Goldson and bounced beyond Allan McGregor.

Rangers had their first corner of the match on the 10th minute as James Tavernier swung a ball into the box in search of Connor Goldson.

From the corner Everton broke up the left wing before picking out Pizzi in the box but the Benfica captain dragged his shot just wide of the post.

The home side were reduced to 10-men on the 18th minute as Nicolas Otamendi fouled Ryan Kent as he broke through on goal.

A lovely ball over the top from Steven Davis released Kent, with referee Jesus Manzano showing a straight red to the former Manchester City defender.

As they looked to adapt to playing with 10-men the home side made an early substitution with skipper Pizzi being replaced by Jardel.

Rangers were back level on the 24th minute as James Tavernier was released down the right by Steven Davis. The Light Blues captain fired a powerful cross into the Benfica box which was turned into the net by Diogo Goncalves.

It was incredible two minutes for Rangers, as they took the lead in Lisbon. Alfredo Morelos played a lovely ball from the right to pick out Glen Kamara on the edge of the box.

The midfielder found space before cutting inside and drilling a right-footed shot low into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Rangers came close again as Borna Barisic delivered a perfect ball into the box which met the head of Joe Aribo but he couldn’t keep his effort on target as it was just wide.

Just before the break, Kamara played the ball through to Alfredo Morelos but just as the striker was about to get his shot away it was blocked by Jan Vertonghen. From the resulting corner Filip Helander headed just over the bar.

Into the second half, and with 51 minutes on the clock Alfredo Morelos wrote his name in Rangers’ record books.

James Tavernier drilled a ball across the face of goal to pick out an unmarked Morelos who tapped in from close range for his 22nd European goal making him the club’s all-time record goalscorer in European competition.

Rangers came so close to adding a fourth on the 62nd minute after some well-worked build up play. Barisic won the ball back on the left before finding Ryan Jack on the edge of the box. Jack played a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Ryan Kent but his curling effort bounced back off the post.

Benfica got a goal back on the 77th minute as a quick free-kick saw Darwin Nunez make his way to the by-line before cutting back to Rafa Silva who tapped home.

Goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos denied Alfredo Morelos a second in the final stages of the game as he blocked the striker’s shot.

The home side got an equaliser in added time Darwin Nunez ran through on goal to slot a right-footed shot into the bottom of the net.

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Helander, Goldson, Barisic, Jack, Davis, Kamara, Kent, Aribo (Arfield, 69), Morelos.

Subs not used: McLaughlin, Bassey, Hagi, Itten, Patterson, Barker, Stewart, Roofe, Balogun, Barjonas, Dickson.

Benfica: Vlachodimos, Vertonghen, Everton (Waldschmidt, 67), Seferovic (Nunez, 60), Goncalves (Gilberto, 46), Pizzi (Jardel, 22), Rafa Silva, Weigl, Otamendi, Taarabt, Tavares (Grimaldo, 46).

Subs not used: Svilar, Leite, Gabriel, Cervi, Chiquinho, Goncalo Ramos, Ferro.

Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano