FC Porto vs Rangers. UEFA Europa League Group G.
Estadio do DragaoAttendance31,307.
Report as Rangers move up to second in Group G with a hard-earned draw in Porto
Thursday 24 October 2019 23:08, UK
Alfredo Morelos was once again Rangers' hero after the Colombian's strike earned the visitors a 1-1 draw at Porto in the Europa League.
Rangers fell behind to Luis Diaz's 36th-minute wonder goal, only to draw level thanks to Morelos's well-taken effort a minute before half-time, the forward's 16th goal of another productive season.
Despite both sides creating further openings, they had to settle for a point apiece at the Estadio Dragao, a result that moves Steven Gerrard's team up to second in the Group G standings at the halfway stage.
As expected, the hosts started on the front foot in northern Portugal and were unlucky not to go ahead when Ze Luis met Alex Telles's cross from the left with a powerful header, only for the ball to hit the outside of the post.
Porto did go ahead nine minutes before the break, though, and what a goal it was too. Ryan Jack carelessly handed the ball straight to Diaz on the left edge of the area, although the Colombia international still had much to do to find the back of the net.
However, the forward showed incredible technique to power an unstoppable drive into the top right-hand corner of the goal, giving Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor absolutely no chance.
Not that the visitors were behind for long as after a neat exchange of passes down the left wing between Jack and Borna Barisic, the left back's inch-perfect cross found the unmarked Morelos in the box.
The in-form striker kept his cool to score for the 10th time already in Europe this season.
Both sides will wonder how they did not score again in the second half, with Morelos denied by an incredible point-blank stop from Porto's Agustin Marchesin, while McGregor had to be at his best to keep out substitutes Francisco Soares and Bruno Costa late on.
But a second straight Europa League defeat at the death would have been harsh on Gerrard and Co.
"I'm very proud of the players," Gerrard said. "The performance was outstanding. We at least deserved to take a point.
"I thought our structure and organisation was brilliant, so I need to pay respect to all my staff who have worked so hard to do that this week. But even more so to the players because they have gone out, they have all maxed out, in and out of possession, and carried out the game plan really well.
"That's the level we need to try and bottle, certainly if we want to get out of this group. That performance gets us something in Feyenoord if we can match that, and the home games will be very important.
"I think that was our best performance in Europe for large parts. If we can find that consistently we'll push this group right to the wire.
"Maybe if Alfredo scored the header and we won 2-1 then for sure it would be the best but I don't want to be sitting here as Rangers manager saying it's our best performance when we have only taken a point. Because we have to remember we are Rangers and we came here to try and win the game."
"A fantastic result. It is a very difficult place to go and they were well worth the point," said the former Rangers and Scotland striker.
"I still think Steven Gerrard will be ranging about losing that last-minute goal against Young Boys the last time as Rangers would have been top of the group if they had just have held out and managed to come home from Switzerland with a draw. But they obviously lost."
The giant centre back - recalled by Steven Gerrard - produced a commanding and near-faultless display at the back to help Rangers leave northern Portugal with a hard-earned draw on Thursday.
In particular, the Sweden international kept Moussa Marega in check for most of the match, which is no easy feat, with two vital interceptions either side of half-time preventing the Porto frontman from a getting a clear sight on goal.
And judging by this performance, you can see why the Rangers boss bought the player from Bologna last summer.
Rangers travel to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, with that match kicking off at 3pm.
Meanwhile, Porto host Famalicao at the Dragao in the league on Sunday (5.30pm).
