Giovanni van Bronckhorst has qualified for the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday evening with Rangers on a hectic evening. The Scots had lost 1-0 to SC Braga in Portugal and now seemed on their way to a 2-0 win against ten men. Out of nowhere, however, Braga dragged an extension out of the fire, in which Van Bronckhorst’s team still finished it: 3-1 win after extra time.
Rangers rectified their deficit from the first leg within two minutes. A high cross shot through a maze of players to the far post, where James Tavernier slid in alertly. The Scots continued to play strong and to their disbelief saw a bang from Kemar Roofe bounce back into the field from the bottom of the bar. The breaking point in the match was when Braga defender Tormena pulled the emergency brake on Roofe on the stroke of half-time: red and a penalty for Rangers. Tavernier determined the halftime score from eleven meters at 2-0.
In excess, Van Bronckhorst’s team also looked for the attack after the break, but this time the Scottish visor was less sharply adjusted. Roofe saw a header taken off the line by defender Paulo Oliveira, moments later Aaron Ramsey aimed his head over. Braga forced an extension out of the blue in the final phase thanks to Carmo, who promoted a corner kick with a nice header to a connection goal at the first post: 2-1.
Rangers opened a new offensive in extra time, scoring in the 101st minute. Roofe received a wage for work and was able to type in on a pass from Joe Aribo: 3-1. Just before the halftime signal, Braga had to continue with nine men, after Iuri Medeiros took a double yellow due to persistent comments on the lead. Rangers substitute Scott Arfield missed enormous opportunities, including by shooting the bar from close range, but Van Bronckhorst did not mind.