Real Betis – Rangers 2:3: Philippe Clement's team prevails in the Europa League thriller

Abdallah Sima's early goal was the first in an amazing game in Sevilla

Resilient Rangers prevailed in a thrilling Europa League thriller with Real Betis, topping the group and reaching the round of 16 of the competition.

The Scottish Premiership side took the lead thanks to a fine finish from Abdallah Sima, before Juan Miranda almost immediately restored parity for the Spanish hosts with a lightning-quick shot.

After withstanding intense pressure in Sevilla, Cyriel Dessers came back into action and restored the visitors' lead, but another equalizer from Ayoze Perez capped an incredible first half.

As Sparta Prague marched to victory against Aris Limassol, Philippe Clement knew his side needed a winner, which came with 12 minutes remaining when substitute Kemar Roofe caused celebratory scenes.

The Estadio Benito Villamarin cauldron could easily have intimidated a Rangers side who knew victory was a likely necessity, but the brave visitors immediately broke through the noise and struck first.

Sima has shown ruthlessness like no other player in blue this season and did so again, firing the ball out of the way of a flailing Desser to send the traveling support wild.

Their celebration was stunningly cut short as Betis immediately reminded Rangers of their quality as Miranda's devastating shot threatened to burst the net.

Now the Rangers were unsettled. Ben Davies had to make a valiant save before Jack Butland made two stunning saves – the second saw Andres Guardado's thunderbolt crash into the crossbar.

Just when it looked like Clement's side would be overwhelmed, two of their struggling signings joined forces to counter the pressure.

Jose Cifuentes' outrageous back pass hit Dessers, who still had so much to do. The striker, who has frustrated Rangers fans, skipped past two Betis bodies and rolled the ball through the legs of Rui Silva.

The hosts would soon counter with style again. Isco, back to his best, danced on the edge of the penalty area before feeding Perez. A beautiful swing later and this crazy game was balanced again.

The second half began with another bang on the woodwork as Assane Diao rose from a corner and let the ball bounce off the crossbar.

After the imposing stadium fell silent as VAR prevented Betis from taking the lead for the first time, there was a feeling that Rangers would have another chance to salvage their status in the competition.

It was far from pretty, but Rabbi Matondo's fresh air sent the ball rolling to Roofe, who was in the right place at the right time to secure Rangers' ticket to the last 16.

Continue.

Lineups

Real Betis

formation 4-2-3-1

13Dantas da Silva

2Bellerin6Pezella21Roca3Miranda

14William Carvalho18Rescued

38Diao22Isco10Perez

9Iglesias

• 13Dantas da Silva
• 2BellerinReplaced byRuibalat 82'protocol
• 6Pezella
• 21RocaBooked for 88 minutes
• 3Miranda
• 14William CarvalhoReplaced byRosa da Silvaat 82'protocol
• 18Rescued
• 38DiaoReplaced byEzzalzouliat 70'protocol
• 22IscoBooked for 58 minutes
• 10Perez
• 9IglesiasReplaced byDa Silvaat 70'protocol

Substitute

• 7Ezzalzouli
• 11Rosa da Silva
• 12Da Silva
• 17Sanchez Rodriguez
• 20da Silva Santos
• 24Ruibal
• 30Barbosa Vieites
• 40Fernandez
• 50Garcia

ranger

formation 4-3-3

1Butland

2Tavernier6Goldson26Davies31Barisic

4Lundstram15Cifuentes14lambs

19Sima9Desserts45McCausland

• 1Butland
• 2TavernierBooked for 82 minutes
• 6Goldson
• 26Davies
• 31Barisic
• 4LundstramBooked for 64 minutes
• 15CifuentesReplaced bysterlingat 45'protocol
• 14lambs
• 19Sima
• 9DessertsReplaced byRoofat 65'protocolBooked for 90 minutes
• 45McCauslandReplaced byThanksat 65'protocol

Substitute

• 5Souttar
• 17Thanks
• 21sterling
• 25Roof
• 28McCrorie
• 32Wright
• 44Divine
• 48Lyall
• 93McKinnon

Live text

1. The game ends, Real Betis 2, Rangers 3.

2. The second half ends, Real Betis 2, Rangers 3.

3. Attempt failed. Isco (Real Betis) tries with his right foot from a distance, but the ball misses to the left.

4. Attempt saved. Germán Pezzella (Real Betis)'s header from the center of the penalty area is saved to the bottom left. Assisted by Juan Miranda.

5. Attempt saved. Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) tries with his right foot from a distance, but the shot is saved in the bottom left corner. Supported by Abdallah Sima.

6. Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the opponent's half.

7. Foul by James Tavernier (Rangers).

8. Delay over. You are ready to move on.

9. Game delayed due to injury to Connor Goldson (Rangers).

10. Kemar Roofe (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a hard foul.

11. Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the opponent's half.

12. Foul by Kemar Roofe (Rangers).

13. Marc Roca (Real Betis) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

14. Foul by Marc Roca (Real Betis).

15. Kemar Roofe (Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.

16. Attempt failed. Andrés Guardado (Real Betis)'s left-footed shot from a distance goes high and wide to the left.

17. Attempt blocked. Marc Roca (Real Betis)'s left-footed shot from a distance is blocked.

18. Attempt failed. Willian José (Real Betis) tries with his right foot outside the penalty area, but the ball misses far to the right.

19. Isco (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the opponent's half.

20. Foul by Dujon Sterling (Rangers).

helpGame instructions

Rate the players during or after the game with up to 10 points. The evaluator closes 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Valuation area key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection

Real Betis

1. Squad number13Player nameRui Silva

2. Squad number2Player nameBellerin

3. Squad number6Player namePezella

4. Squad number21Player nameRoca

5. Squad number3Player nameMiranda

6. Squad number14Player nameWilliam Carvalho

7. Squad number18Player nameRescued

8. Squad number38Player nameDiao

9. Squad number22Player nameIsco

10. Squad number10Player nameAyoze Perez

11. Squad number9Player nameIglesias

1. Squad number7Player nameEzzalzouli

2. Squad number11Player nameLuiz Henrique

3. Squad number12Player nameWillian Jose

4. Squad number24Player nameRuibal

ranger

1. Squad number1Player nameButland

2. Squad number2Player nameTavernier

3. Squad number6Player nameGoldson

4. Squad number26Player nameDavies

5. Squad number31Player nameBarisic

6. Squad number4Player nameLundstram

7. Squad number15Player nameCifuentes

8. Squad number14Player namelambs

9. Squad number19Player nameSima

10. Squad number9Player nameDesserts

11. Squad number45Player nameMcCausland

1. Squad number17Player nameThanks

2. Squad number21Player namesterling

3. Squad number25Player nameRoof