Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, and Leon Balogun ended the night in jubilation as Rangers booked a place in the Europa League final with a 3-1 win (3-2 on aggregate) over RB Leipzig at the Ibrox Stadium.
Trailing by a lone goal courtesy of the defeat suffered in Germany last week, the Gers knew that they had to find the back of the net at least twice to advance to a historic European final.
And that is exactly what they did within the opening half-hour. First, Rangers captain James Tavernier stole in at the back post to steer home Ryan Kent’s angled strike – the seventh goal of the season for the right-back – to set the Ibrox Stadium rocking after just 18 minutes.
Excluding qualifiers, Tavernier, with the goal, becomes the outright top scorer in this season’s UEFA Europa League proper, with seven goals. That impressive haul for a full-back is also the most ever scored by a Rangers player in a single season in a major European competition.
The scoreline read two-nil six minutes later when Glen Kamara pounced on a clever Scott Wright lay-off and guided a first-time shot into the far corner with his ‘weaker’ left foot.
Moments later, Aribo could have made it goal number three for the hosts, but the Nigerian midfielder scuffed his effort disappointing up in the air when it looked easier to stab the ball home.
Aribo’s night, however, ended prematurely shortly before halftime because of a freak head injury. The former Charlton Athletic lad took the ball flush in the face off a well-hit Angelino free-kick.
And despite receiving medical attention and not needing the stretcher, the Super Eagles ace was replaced by Fashion Sakala.
Rangers could not repeat their excellent start to the first half at the beginning of the second and, perhaps sensing a need to strengthen the defense, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst sent in Nigerian defender Leon Balogun in place of Ryan Kent shortly after the restart.
But it was still not enough to shut up shop as Christopher Nkunku volleyed home an effort in the 70th minute to reduce the deficit on the night and drag the tie back level on aggregate.
And when it looked like Rangers had lost their advantage, John Lundstram grabbed a late third goal for the Light Blues to power them to their first European cup final in 14 years.
Super Eagles stars Aribo, Bassey, and Balogun claimed the first major title of their careers last year when the Gers powered to lift the Premiership.
But even that will pale in comparison to the Europa League trophy for the trio should Rangers go on to beat Eintracht Frankfurt in the final in Seville later this month.
Frankfurt defeated West Ham 3-1 on aggregate in the other semifinal to set up a date with the Scottish giants.
This post was last modified on May 5, 2022 10:30 pm