Thriller In Benfica: Joe Aribo Brilliant For Rangers In Europa League’s Potential Game Of The Season

The Nigerian midfielder was at his mesmerising best in Portugal, but it was not enough to inspire the Gers to another three points on Thursday evening

Super Eagles star Joe Aribo delivered an excellent performance at the centre of the park to help Rangers secure a thrilling 3-3 win at Benfica on matchday three of the Europa League.

In what could easily go on to become of the most entertaining nights in the Europa League, Benfica and Rangers battled to an exciting draw under the lights of the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

The night started awkwardly at Da Luz for the Scottish side when Goldson put through his own net with barely a minute on the clock.

But a straight red card for Benfica defender and former Manchester City man Nicholas Otamendi in the 19th-minute swung the tie in the visitors’ favour, moments after which Diogo Goncalves scored an own goal to level the tie.

Glen Kamara then put Rangers ahead for the first time in the tie a full sixty seconds later.

Aribo, who was untouchable in midfield, could have made it three for the visitors just before the interval, but his cute header off a Barisic cross missed its target by only a few inches.

Alfredo Morelos netted Rangers third of the night five minutes after the restart, and it seemed a horrible next 40 minutes awaited their embattled hosts.

But Steven Gerrard replaced the influential Aribo with 20 minutes left to play, and the roof nearly came crashing down on the Gers.

First, Rafa Silva reduced the deficit for Benfica at the 77-minute mark to spark off a frantic finish.

And the home side’s brave push for an equaliser yielded efforts deep into stoppage time when Darwin Nunez breached the Rangers backline yet again to ensure both teams shared the spoils.