Rangers 0 Lyons 3: Benzema double sends Rangers crashing out

Jean-Claude Darcheville only came on as a late substitute but he had a night to forget after missing a close-range chance that would have changed the complexion of the game and then getting sent off for violent conduct. Rangers, who needed a point to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, will play in the Uefa Cup instead.

It was 1-0 to the French side when Barry Ferguson's good work laid what seemed a certain equaliser on a plate. But from a few yards Darcheville contrived to miss. Karim Benzema then put the gloss on Lyons' night with two late goals, including a 30-yard shot, to round off an impressive display. Sidney Govou had given Lyons a thoroughly deserved first-half lead that could have been bigger.

Rangers would probably have taken a Uefa Cup place when this tough group was drawn they faced the pre-tournament favourites, Barcelona, plus the champions of Germany (Stuttgart) and France but that competition will be no consolation now.

Their manager, Walter Smith, said: "[Darcheville's] miss was obviously a factor in the defeat. We're really disappointed we haven't managed to go through, although it's been a learning experience."

Rangers won in France also 3-0 leaving Lyons needing victory here. They stormed out of the blocks, dominating with incisive passing, rapid breaks and trickery.

Juninho was at the heart of it and with mobile strikers ahead of him in Govou, Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa, Rangers looked shaky. Juninho went close with a free-kick before Govou, aided by Allan McGregor's pushed clearance, netted a cut-back from Benzema. Rangers' shots were hit more in hope than expectation.

Lyons came close to a second approaching the hour, when Carlos Cuellar felled Jeremy Toulalan 25 yards out and bang centre; Juninho rattled the crossbar with the free-kick. Benzema had a chance for 2-0 cleared off the line by Steven Whittaker.

Darcheville, who is not fully fit after injury, then came back too soon. And went off too early.

Rangers (4-1-4-1): McGregor; Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Papac (Darcheville, 71); Hemdani (Boyd, 84); Whittaker, Ferguson, Thomson, McCulloch; Cousin (Naismith, h-t). Substitutes not used: Carroll (gk), Adam, Broadfoot, Faye.

Lyons (4-3-3): Vercoutre; Clerc, Squillaci, Anderson, Grosso; Toulalan, Juninho (Baros, 85), Kallstrom; Govou (Rveillre, 77), Benzema, Ben Arfa (Bodma, 67). Substitutes not used: Roux (gk), Remy, Belhadj, Keita.

Referee: M Lubos (Slovakia).