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Seven goals, two penalties, a late red card and a handful of VAR involvement, all within an hour.
The chaotic first leg of the last 32 meetings between Europa League Rangers and Royal Antwerp got pretty much everything after a relatively straightforward half hour.
Here we are trying to make sense of what happened after the Rangers broke the deadlock in Belgium …
38 ‘Antwerp 0-1 Rangers (Aribo)
Things are mostly starting off as planned for the Rangers, despite both James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe being injured, with Steven Gerrard’s side largely in control.
A horror show from Antwerp goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand provides an opportunity for Joe Aribo, who walks quietly home to start the scoring. As we were naive at the time about the capers to come …
45 ‘Antwerp 1-1 Rangers (Avenatti)
Ah, wait. Although they dominated the proceedings, poor marking allows Felipe Avenatti to level up with a looping header from what seems like a very long way.
No panic stations yet, however. This Ranger squad is made of strong stuff, surely they won’t let that get out of hand, right?
45 + 4 ‘Antwerp 2-1 Rangers (Refaelov)
Hmm, spoke too soon. A questionable penalty decision, perhaps, as Steven Davis only patted the back of Lior Refaelov’s ankle before he collapsed like a cheap tent. But the referee gives it and the VAR official sees no need to challenge it.
The tackle couldn’t have been as bad as Refaelov gets up and thunders the kick on McGregor. Game on.
59 ‘Antwerp 2-2 Rangers (Barisic pen)
Rangers start the second half strong and get their reward pretty clear as Alfredo Morelos is down in the box as he heads inside. After a quick check-in with VAR, it’s a pen.
With James Tavernier off the pitch, Rangers’ other full-back Borna Barisic is doing enough to beat Beiranvand. Time for Gerrard’s men to grab this game by the neck, right?
66 ‘Antwerp 3-2 Rangers (Hongla)
Now come on, this is getting silly. Antwerp makes a rare foray and begins again.
Rangers’ lax midfielder defense leaves too much space for Martin Hongla. They almost challenge him to try and he duly forces him into curling one into a post. What is this game?!
83 ‘Antwerp 3-3 Rangers (Kent)
What purpose. And the Rangers are level after 15 minutes of heavy pressure and missed opportunities. Substitute Ryan Kent played a brilliant brace with Morelos before hitting him high into 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. The Rangers burst into Antwerp and Morelos cuts him off at Kent, whose shot is blocked by Abdoulaye Seck’s outstretched arm.
Penalty. Red card. Surely that must be? Game over, finally, while Barisic offers a much more assured finish than the first.
He even makes noise to the replacement Antwerp keeper, as if this game needs something else.
90 + 6 ‘Full time: Antwerp 3-4 Rangers
Annnnnnd is breathing. The Rangers take a big advantage against Ibrox next week. Football eh?
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