Europa League: Another Goalfest As Joe Aribo Helps Rangers Cruise Past Antwerp

The two teams served up a seven-goal thriller in Antwerp last week and followed it up with another goalfest on Thursday evening

Joe Aribo was instrumental as Rangers maintained their unbeaten run on home soil this season, with a commanding 5-2 victory over Royal Antwerp in a Europa League round of 32 clash.

The Gers made it 19 wins out of 20 games across all competitions at the Ibrox, with a second victory in a week over the Belgian side.

Rangers held a 4-3 advantage heading into the second leg of this Europa League tie and were the big favourites ahead of this return leg.

The Gers didn’t disappoint, though, delivering a crushing second-half performance to finish the job off against the brave visitors at the Ibrox and secure a comprehensive 9-5 win on aggregate.

Alfredo Morelos and Lior Refaelov traded goals for both teams in the opening half-hour to keep the scores levelled at halftime, but Nathan Patterson fired Rangers back in front moments after the restart.

Ryan Kent made it 3-1, but Didier Lamkel Ze then reduced the deficit of the visitors, who remarkably kept up their fighting spirit.

There’s a reason, though, why the Gers have lost just one of their previous 42 matches home or away this season, and they once again showed their character in the closing stages with two penalties from Borna Barisic and Cedric Itten.

The win helps Rangers maintain an excellent 15-game unbeaten run, with the Light Blues making their impact felt in Europe just as they have been doing back home in Scotland.