3-1 in Scotland - RB Leipzig knocked out in Europa League semifinal
Tavernier and Kamara with first-half goals | Nkunku levels tie in second half | Lundstram replenishes Rangers lead late on
The Europa League dream is over. RB Leipzig fell to a 3-1 defeat to Rangers in Glasgow. James Tavernier (19’), Glen Kamara (24’) and John Lundstram (80’) scored for the Scottish side. Christopher Nkunku (71’) scored Leipzig’s only goal of the game.
Rangers operated differently in the second leg. While they were happy to sit deep at the Red Bull Arena, the Scottish side played with more tempo in Glasgow and looked to play quickly down the flanks. In the 18th minute, Ryan Kent broke into the penalty area down the left and crossed to captain James Tavernier at the back post, who slotted home from close range for the opener. Six minutes later, Rangers had the lead in the tie when Glen Kamara hit a left-footed effort into the bottom-left corner (24th). RBL ended the half without a shot on target – the closest they came to finding the back of the net was a pair of Willi Orbán headers from set pieces (10’, 38’).
The struggles continued for Domenico Tedesco's team in the second half. While play became more fluid and the team were more successful in their combinations, they were unable to really penetrate in the final third. However, they finally got their breakthrough in the 70th minute. Just moments after some great link-up play saw Konrad Laimer through on goal only to be denied by a great save from Allan McGregor, Angeliño delivered a perfect cross into the penalty area from the left, where Christopher Nkunku produced a perfect first-time volley into the top right corner. Nkunku’s goal levelled the tie on aggregate and opened up the game. Unfortunately, the next goal fell to the hosts, Kent again causing problems on the left. His high cross was missed by a diving Péter Gulácsi and Joško Gvardiol headed off the line. However, the ball fell to John Lundstram in the area, who finished from point-blank range with the goal at his mercy (80’). In the third minute of added time, Leipzig came close again after a corner kick but the Scottish side held on to claim a deserved victory.
Statistics:
GLASGOW RANGERS:
Mc Gregor - Goldson, Lundstram, Bassey - Tavernier (C), Jack (59' Arfield), Kamara, Barisic - Aribo (45'+2 Sakala) - Wright (59' Balogun), Kent
Unused subs: McCrorie, McLaughlin, King, Sands, Davis, Lowry, Ramsey, Diallo
RB LEIPZIG:
Gulácsi (C) – Klostermann, Orbán, Gvardiol - Henrichs, Kampl, Laimer, Angeliño (81' Halstenberg) - Olmo (62' Szoboszlai) - Poulsen (81' Silva), Nkunku
Unused subs: Martínez, Tschauner, Simakan, Forsberg, Adams, Mukiele, Raebiger, Novoa
REFEREE:
Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)
GOALS:
0-1 Tavernier (18'), 0-2 Kamara (24'), 1-3 Lundstram (80') | 1-2 Nkunku (70')
YELLOW CARDS:
Bassey (26'), Goldson (31'), Barisic (43') | Kampl (52')
ATTENDANCE:
49,000 | Ibrox Stadium
First half highlights:
1st minute:
We’re underway. Let's go, Leipzig!
4th minute:
The home side are operating with a different mentality in the second leg, looking to get forward more often.
7th minute:
Rangers attack down the right. The cross is cleared by Benni, then Jack has an effort from 18 meters. No problem for Gulácsi.
10th minute:
Dani Olmo takes the first corner of the game, delivering from the left towards Willi Orbán, but his header goes over the bar.
15th minute:
Domenico Tedesco’s side have had just under 45% possession after quarter of an hour. They’re happy to allow Rangers onto them and then hit quickly on the break.
18th minute, goal for Rangers
Kent attacks dwon the left and dribbles into the area, before playing a low cross towards the back post, where Tavernier finishes from close range.
24th minute, goal for Rangers
Double blow. Glen Kamara doubles the Rangers tally. The home side link up on the right and Aribo finds Wright, who plays it into Kamara. The midfielder cuts inside and curls a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
26th minute:
Bassey is booked for a strong challenge. That’s the first yellow card of the match.
28th minute:
Olmo tries a left-footed shot from 18 meters out. First real sign of danger from our side.
29th minute:
Nearly 3-0 to the home side. A cross towards goal from the byline finds Aribo but the midfielder doesn’t make good connection and he slices it upwards. Any decent connection would have found the back of the net there.
31st minute:
Goldson is booked for an elbow on Poulsen. Both of Rangers’ centre backs are cautioned now.
38th minute:
Orbán with another header from a dead ball, but it’s off target again.
43rd minute:
Great chance from a free kick. Barisic brings down Henrichs on the edge of the box. That’s three Rangers defenders in the book now.
45th minute:
Angeliño goes for goal from the free kick but his shot strikes Aribo directly in the face. He gets medical treatment and is taken off for Sakala.
Half time:
An improved performance is needed in the second half. There’s been no outlet going forward and it’s been too passive in defence.
Second half highlights:
46th minute:
Back underway in the second half.
48th minute:
RBL make a good start to the second half and are showing good signs. Rangers are still aggressive in their duels.
52nd minute:
Kampl brings down Wright and is shown a yellow card.
53rd minute:
Rangers cross from the wing towards Sakala but he can’t send it goalwards. Goal kick for Leipzig.
58th minute:
A nice attack sees Christo get into the area down the right, but his cross is blocked. Then the offside flag goes up.
61st minute:
Arfield profits from a defensive mix up and gets into the area, but his ball is weak and easy for Gulácsi to claim.
62nd minute:
Domenico Tedesco makes his first change: Szoboszlai comes on for Olmo.
70th minute:
Laimer! Some great link up play through the middle sees Konrad bearing down on goal. Unfortunately, McGregor is out quickly and produces a great one-on-one save.
70. Minute, GOAL for Leipzig!
Who else? What a finish from Christo! Angeliño delivers a perfect cross from the left into the area, where Nkunku finishes first time into the top corner! Let’s go!
74th minute:
RBL have picked up since the goal and look to have more of a spring in their step.
80th minute, goal for Rangers:
No way. Kent attacks down the left and crosses a ball towards the far post. Gulácsi dives but can’t get there and Gvardiol heads off the line. The ball falls to Lundstram, who finishes into a semi-open goal from close range.
81st minute:
Double change for RBL: Silva and Halstenberg come on for Poulsen and Angeliño.
85th minute:
Five minutes left to find something. Leipzig are giving their all, but the home side are sitting deep and not allowing any space in dangerous areas.
90th minute:
Three minutes extra. We still need just one goal!
90+3rd minute:
Corner to RBL. Gulácsi comes up. Szoboszlai delivers the ball into the area and Rangers clear. Nkunku picks the ball up outside the area and plays out left to Henrichs, who cuts back inside and creates space for himself, but his shot on goal is blocked away. That was the final chance of the game – Rangers get something on the ball and the referee blows for full time.
Full time:
A 3-1 defeat on the night means our Europa League campaign comes to an end at the semifinals.