Rangers vs Real Betis LIVE: Europa League result, final score and reaction
The Europa League Group C clash sees Ibrox host opponents from LaLiga
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Abdallah Sima’s second-half goal delivered a 1-0 victory for Rangers against Real Betis in their opening Europa League group match at Ibrox.
The forward poked home a shot from close range to settle a competitive match between the two of the favourites to progress to the knockout stages.
Michael Beale’s side also struck the frame of the goal twice in a strong second-half display and had goalkeeper Jack Butland to thank for making several key saves, especially in the opening period.
Ranger’s winner arrived after 68 minutes, Sima slamming in a loose ball as Betis failed to properly deal with a goalmouth scramble after Bravo made a stunning stop to repel Roofe’s volley.
Betis pushed for a leveller but two big saves from Butland denied substitute Rodri.
Abdallah Sima fires Rangers to victory in Europa League clash with Real Betis
Abdallah Sima’s second-half goal delivered a 1-0 victory for Rangers against Real Betis in their opening Europa League group match at Ibrox.
The forward poked home a shot from close range to settle a competitive match between the two of the favourites to progress to the knockout stages.
Abdallah Sima fires Rangers to victory in Europa League clash with Real Betis
Rangers 1-0 Real Betis: The forward poked home a shot from close range to settle a competitive match.
Michael Beale feels win is ‘step in right direction’
Rangers manager Michael Beale was understandably pleased with his side’s win at home over Real Betis.
“It was a really good opponent, and we didn’t show enough belief with the ball in the first half,” Beale said after the match.
“We spoke at half time about having more belief, more desire, more passion and I think the goal really typifies that as we won the ball everytime it fell.
“The desire of the team on that set play won it.
“It wasnt perfect, we need to improve, but it's a step in the right direction.”
FT: Rangers 1-0 Real Betis
Rangers started their Europa League campaign against Betis with a well-deserved win against the Europa League side.
The game didn’t flow well in the first half, with both sides struggling for fluency, and with lots of stops and starts.
Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo had a brilliant chance in only the fifth minute however, being played in behind from just over the halfway line. The winger could not set himself though and his resulting finish was easy for Claudio Bravo.
Betis then edged a large portion of the first half, with Abe Ez looking really dangerous as he repeatedly broke into the box and had no hesitation in taking on the Rangers backline.
Roca was also performed well for Betis along with the two fullbacks, and Rangers really struggled to play through the midfield, instead looking a lot more threatening with long balls over the top of the defence.
Michael Beale’s side took control in the latter stages of the first half, with a good chance for Abdallah Sima falling shortly before the interval.
Rangers started the second half the way they ended the first, with Barisic inches away from scoring a fantastic free-kick, and Hector Bellerin just doing enough to prevent Matondo from guiding home a brilliant cross from Sima.
After coming close on a number of occasions, the home side eventually broke through from a corner when Ben Davies scrambled home a shot following a fantastic save from Claudio Bravo, who denied Kemar Roofe from point-blank range.
Betis responded by changing almost their entire frontline, with their widemen having drifted out of the game since Rangers took control. The momentum began to shift again with the introduction of Perez, Jose and Rodri, who really tested the home side’s resolve in the closing stages of the game.
Overall though, a well deserved win for Rangers who had the best chances in the game. An important win for the Scottish side who will be hoping that this kickstarts an otherwise disappointing start to the season.
Full-time! Rangers 1-0 Real Betis
90+5 mins: Claudio Bravo takes a free-kick long from just outside his own box, and the referee calls time on this Thursday night tie.
Michael Beale’s men have started their Europa League campaign with a win, and a well deserved one at that.
Rangers’ unbeaten run at home in the competition stretches to seven games.
Rangers 1-0 Real Betis
90+3 mins: Assane Diao with a poor shot from edge of the box wide to the right of Jack Butland’s goal.
There’s only a minute left as the goalkeeper kicks the ball long back up the field.
It looks like Rangers will almost certainly triumph now.
Rangers 1-0 Real Betis
90 mins: Save! Jack Butland is forced into action again, as Rodri cuts in from the right hand side and curls a shot at the goalkeeper.
A comfortable but necessary save, which results in a Betis corner which doesn’t amount to anything.
Rangers 1-0 Real Betis
88 mins: Substitution.
Dujon Sterling and Cyriel Dessers replace Sima and Roofe for the home side.
Isco was also replaced by Assane Diao shortly after Ayoze Perez’s chance.
Rangers 1-0 Real Betis
86 mins: Chance! The resulting free-kick is whipped in by Isco, and Butland attempts to get something on the ball but fails to make any contact.
The goal is left open, but Ayoze Perez just overruns and can’t finish from a fairly tight angle.
Another good chance for Betis, who are really knocking on the door now.
Rangers 1-0 Real Betis
86 mins: A free-kick in a dangerous position here for Betis.
A minimal amount of contact from Lammers results in a set-piece just outside the bottom right hand side of Rangers’ box.
Rangers 1-0 Real Betis
84 mins: Chance! Tavernier dives into a challenge which allows Abner to played into the left side of the box.
The left-back attempted to cut the ball back across the box, but just directs it too close to Butland who holds onto the ball.
That was a solid chance for the visitors.
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