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Seven goals, two penalties, a late red card and a bit of VAR involvement, all in the space of an hour.
Rangers’ chaotic Europa League round of 32 first leg with Royal Antwerp had almost it all after a relatively easy half-hour opening.
Here, we try to make sense of what happened once the Rangers broke the deadlock in Belgium …
38 ‘Antwerp 0-1 Rangers (Up)
Things mostly start as planned for the Rangers, even though James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe were injured, and Steven Gerrard’s team largely controlled things.
A horror show by Antwerp goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand gives Joe Aribo a chance, who calmly glides home to start scoring. How naive we were back then about the capers to come …
45 ‘Antwerp 1-1 Rangers (Avenatti)
Oh wait. Although they have mastered the procedures, some poor marks allow Felipe Avenatti to level with a looped header from what seems like a very long road.
However, there are no panic stations yet. This Rangers team is made of strong material, surely they won’t let this get out of hand, right?
45 + 4 ‘Antwerp 2-1 Rangers (Refaelov)
Hmm, I spoke too soon. A dubious penalty decision, perhaps, as Steven Davis only hits the back of Lior Refaelov’s ankle before he collapses like a cheap store. But the referee gives it and the VAR official does not see the need to change it.
The tackle couldn’t have been that bad, as Refaelov gets up and throws a kick to the point that it outstrips McGregor. Game on.
59 ‘Antwerp 2-2 Rangers (Barisic Peninsula)
The Rangers start the second half strong and get their payoff pretty strong when Alfredo Morelos is knocked down in the area as he heads inside. After a quick review with the VAR, it is a pen.
With James Tavernier off the court, Rangers’ other winger Borna Barisic does enough to beat Beiranvand. It’s time for Gerrard’s men to grab this game by the neck, right?
66 ‘Antwerp 3-2 Rangers (Hongla)
Come on, this is getting silly. Antwerp makes a rare foray forward and keeps going again.
A lax defense from the Rangers’ midfield gives Martin Hongla too much space. They almost challenge him to try and he duly forces one to roll one up on a pole. What is this game ?!
83 ‘Antwerp 3-3 Rangers (Kent)
What a goal. And the Rangers are tied after 15 minutes of high pressure and missed opportunities. Backup Ryan Kent plays a brilliant one-two with Morelos before crashing at the net. Pure class.
Is there time for a winner?
90 ‘Antwerp 3-4 Rangers (Barisic)
There is certainly time for one in this game. Rangers storms into Antwerp and Morelos cuts him back to Kent, whose shot is blocked by Abdoulaye Seck’s outstretched arm.
Penalty fee. Red card. Does this surely have to be? The game is finally over, as Barisic delivers a much safer ending than the first.
He even calls the replacement goalkeeper in Antwerp, as if this game needs something more.
90 + 6 ‘Full time: Antwerp 3-4 Rangers
Annnnnnd breathes. The Rangers take advantage of Ibrox next week. Soccer, huh?
