Joe Aribo Opens Europa League Goal Account In Seven-Goal Belgian Thriller

The Nigerian international scored four times in Europe for the Gers last term and it has taken him six appearances this year to find the back of the net

Joe Aribo kick-started a chain of stunning actions that threw up one of the most exciting Europa League matches in history as Rangers fought out a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Antwerp in their Europa League clash on Thursday night.

In what is the first UEFA Europa League meeting between the two clubs, a classic match with seven lovely goals and countless highlights was served at the Bosuilstadion.

Steven Gerrard’s men scored first on the night but had to come from behind twice before sealing an unlikely away win.

It all started when Rangers took the lead in the 38th minute courtesy of an Aribo strike off an Alfredo Morelos pass – the Nigerian playmaker’s first goal on the continent this term. 

However, the Gers’ joy was short-lived, with Antwerp equalising through Felipe Avenatti on the stroke of halftime.

The home side was not done just yet, though, and Lior Rafaelov’s penalty kick deep into stoppage time completed the turnaround, heading into the interval.

Barisic then scored the first of his two penalty kicks on the hour-mark to drag Rangers back on levelled terms, but Hongla Yma found the back of the net six minutes later to restore Antwerp’s lead.

Rangers, though, had not lost a single game in the league and Europe this term, and the Light Blues showed incredible resilience again to draw 3-3 thanks to Ryan Kent’s 83rd-minute strike.

The visitors then won their second spot-kick of the evening which Barisic again converted to leave Belgium with a massive advantage ahead of the return leg in Scotland.