Rangers beat Fenerbahce on penalties to reach Europa League Quarterfinals

Goalkeeper Jack Butland’s penalty shootout heroics sent Rangers into the Europa League quarter-finals, overcoming Fenerbahce after a tense and dramatic second leg at Ibrox. The tie finished 3-3 on aggregate after Fenerbahce overturned a 3-1 first-leg deficit, but Rangers prevailed in the shootout, winning 3-1 on spot-kicks.

Rangers, carrying a two-goal advantage from the first leg in Istanbul, struggled to replicate their away performance. Fenerbahce’s Sebastian Szymanski scored twice, once either side of halftime, to level the aggregate score. His first was a swept finish from Filip Kostic’s cross, while his second was a close-range stab.

The match, which saw both drama and nerves, featured a disallowed goal.

Rangers, had chances. Vaclav Cerny was a constant threat, forcing several saves from visiting goalkeeper Irfan Can Egribayat.

Neither side could find a winning goal in normal time. Rangers’ Cerny and James Tavernier went close in extra time, forcing the match to penalties.

Tavernier, Cerny, and Tom Lawrence converted for Rangers in the shootout. Butland saved penalties from Dusan Tadic and Fred, before Mert Hakan Yandas missed the target, sparking jubilant scenes at Ibrox.

Rangers Overcome Home Struggles, Progress Amidst High Emotion

The victory, though ultimately securing progression, extended Rangers’ dismal home form; they’ve now lost four successive home matches for the first time in their history. However, the overriding emotion was one of relief and joy, as Rangers held their nerve in the shootout.

Fenerbahce dominated large portions of the match, particularly after Szymanski’s first goal. They were incensed by a decision in extra time not to award a penalty when Nicolas Raskin appeared to trip Yandas, with VAR upholding the on-field decision.

Rangers interim head coach Barry Ferguson praised his team’s character: “They showed character in abundance and we have to do that going forward. Overall, I’m just delighted to be into the quarters… One thing the players are doing is they’re listening. We’ve still got to work at a lot of things, but that tonight is what my teams are built on… I’m proud of the players and I’m just delighted for the club as whole.”

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, felt his team deserved to progress: “We deserved to win over 90 minutes, we deserved to win after 120 minutes… In the first match… we made mistakes, we deserved to lose, but in this match… we were the best team by far. We did everything to win. The ref and the VAR decided that we should go to penalties. I’m sad for my boys because it was the dream to go through, but I’m proud of them.”

Rangers will now face Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals. They will be without Mohamed Diomande and John Souttar for the first leg due to suspension after both were booked. Before their European encounter, Rangers face a crucial Old Firm derby against Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic Park on Sunday.