Rangers vs Real Betis LIVE: Europa League result, final score and reaction
The Europa League Group C clash sees Ibrox host opponents from LaLiga
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Your support makes all the difference.Abdallah Sima’s second-half goal delivered a 1-0 victory for Rangers against Real Betis in their opening Europa League group match at Ibrox.
The forward poked home a shot from close range to settle a competitive match between the two of the favourites to progress to the knockout stages.
Michael Beale’s side also struck the frame of the goal twice in a strong second-half display and had goalkeeper Jack Butland to thank for making several key saves, especially in the opening period.
Ranger’s winner arrived after 68 minutes, Sima slamming in a loose ball as Betis failed to properly deal with a goalmouth scramble after Bravo made a stunning stop to repel Roofe’s volley.
Betis pushed for a leveller but two big saves from Butland denied substitute Rodri.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
53 mins: Really dangerous free-kick awarded to Rangers here, just outside the edge of the box.
A really poor challenge from Bartra on Roofe, who caught the Rangers players with his studs even if accidentally.
He is yellow carded by the referee.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
51 mins: Close! Cifuentes does well to find Lawrence, who drives forward before unleashing a strike from range.
The ball was not too far at all from the top-right hand corner of Bravo’s goal...
In fact the replay shows it just clips the outside of the post!
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
49 mins: Chance! A fantastic ball in from Sima, who whips the ball into the box from the right hand side.
Matondo so nearly gets on the end of it at the back post, but Hector Bellerin does brillantly to prevent the winger from guiding it home.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
45 mins: Kick off! Kemar Roofe gets us back underway here in Glasgow.
Play is stopped inside the first 30-seconds as Henrique goes down after contact with Barisic.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
The atmosphere is lively at The Ibrox, and Michael Beale’s side will want to start the second half strongly and build on the momentum they picked up at the end of the first half.
HT: Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
A fairly even contest so far, with both sides struggling for fluency and having a couple of decent chances.
Real Betis probably edged out the early stages of the first half, with Abde Ez’s direct running at the opposition defence standing out in particular for the Spanish side.
It was Rabbi Matondo who had the clearest chance of the half however, being played in behind but eventually hitting a tame shot at Bravo after not setting himself properly.
A good save from Jack Butland then prevented Abde Ez from striking on target, although the official decision was given as a goal-kick.
Rangers initially looked most dangerous when they looked to play it long behind the Betis defence, but grew in momentum towards the end of the half, and finished strongly.
Abdallah Sima had a half chance after the ball fell to him from cross directed towards Matondo, but Bravo was again grateful with the resulting weak effort.
It’s difficult to predict how this game will finish, but a draw wouldn’t be suprising right now.
Half-time: Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
45+3: Half Time! Real Betis intercept a loose Rangers pass, and look to recycle possession through Pezzella, but the referee blows for half-time.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
44 mins: Matonda down the left tries a strike from range which is well wide to the right of Bravo’s goal.
Rangers have certainly picked up momentum in the closing stages of the half.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
42 mins: Some fantastic skill from Tom Lawrence, who picks up the ball in the middle and almost looks like he is about the weave through the whole defence as he beats one Betis man after another.
Bartra manages to get a toe-in to prevent Lawrence being clean through.
Great play by the Welshman.
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