Rangers eliminate Fenerbahce after dramatic penalty shoot-out
- Rangers managed to fend off Fenerbahce after a fierce match, winning in a penalty shoot-out.
- Jack Butland excelled as goalkeeper, making crucial saves during the penalties.
- The match led to controversy, with Fenerbahce's manager Jose Mourinho criticizing the officiating.
In a thrilling Europa League match held at Ibrox Stadium in Scotland, Rangers faced Fenerbahce after having drawn 3-3 on aggregate. Despite their earlier two-goal lead in Istanbul, Rangers were on the brink of elimination but managed to hold on during the penalty shoot-out. Jack Butland, the Rangers goalkeeper, emerged as the hero, successfully saving two penalty attempts from Dusan Tadic and Fred, while Mert Yandas missed his chance entirely. Meanwhile, James Tavernier, Vaclav Cerny, and Tom Lawrence each converted their penalties, ensuring Rangers progressed to the quarter-finals to meet Athletic Bilbao. The situation was heated, with Fenerbahce's coach, Jose Mourinho, visibly upset by the officiating during the match. After the game, he declared referee Espen Eskas as 'arrogant' for dismissing three penalty appeals from his team over the course of 120 minutes. Mourinho believed his side outperformed Rangers and claimed that the outcome was unjust due to the referee and the VAR not recognizing the fouls committed against his players. He was particularly disappointed as his team was the last Turkish representative in the tournament after being eliminated. Mourinho expressed his frustration regarding his previous sanctions, including a four-game ban imposed by UEFA after an incident involving English referee Anthony Taylor. He reflected on the consistency of poor officiating that his team had faced, which he insinuated could be connected to his past experiences in the Europa League. Mourinho was particularly distraught as he had hopes of reaching the final, showcasing the emotional stakes involved for his side. The match was set against the backdrop of Rangers' struggles at Ibrox, where they had lost three consecutive games prior to this fixture. This victory marked a significant turnaround for interim manager Barry Ferguson, showcasing resilience and determination in a must-win situation. Ultimately, Rangers' triumph in this round of the Europa League reinforced their intentions of restoring their former glory in European competitions, as they secured a place in the next stage of the tournament through a display of courage and composure under pressure.