Real Betis vs Rangers. UEFA Europa League Group C.
Benito VillamarinAttendance48,380.
Roofe's close-range finish edged thrilling contest; Rangers had to win with Sparta Prague beating Aris Limassol; visitors led twice in first half before being pegged back; Betis twice hit the woodwork and saw multiple penalty appeals turned down; Betis finish second and go into play-off
Friday 15 December 2023 13:04, UK
Kemar Roofe's late goal earned Rangers a memorable 3-2 win against Real Betis and booked a spot in the Europa League knockout stages.
Roofe turned the ball home from close range as Rangers put the pressure on from a 78th-minute corner to clinch top spot in Group C.
Rangers inflicted a first home defeat of the season on the Spaniards in Seville as Roofe's second goal of the season saw them jump above Sparta Prague from third place and send Betis into the Conference League.
Abdallah Sima and Cyriel Dessers had each put Rangers ahead in a thrilling first half but Betis were level before the break and had chances to go ahead only to slip from top spot to third.
Sparta won 3-1 against Aris Limassol to put pressure on Rangers and ultimately go through themselves as the Ibrox side did it the hard way, finishing on 11 points despite dropping five against the Cypriots.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "I am really proud of the team. I saw today what I wanted to see, the things we worked on in the last couple of weeks. I want to see a team of winners that never give up, where everybody wants to do their job and that is what they did today. They played a big game.
"I said I wanted to see a brave team, not a team that only wanted to defend. We played our football, the team became stronger and stronger, we dug in and stayed together and then the moments come.
"I cannot be more proud as a coach after such a short period together where the team is now."
Kris Boyd on Soccer Special: "To go to Spain and win for the first time on Spanish soil against Spanish opposition and score three goals, an unbelievable result.
"Considering they dropped five points against the bottom seeds in the group in Aris... It's huge, financially for the football club and to get to the last-16. Once again they will fly the flag for Scottish football in the new year.
"Celtic were beaten at the weekend and you're now looking at Rangers saying they're back in the title race, they've got a League Cup final against Aberdeen at the weekend - they'll need to get ready for that. But I don't know what it is with Rangers and the Europa League..."
Sima had already seen a half-chance diverted wide before opening the scoring in the 10th minute. James Tavernier and then Ross McCausland drove down the right and Dessers helped the ball on for Sima to fire into the bottom corner from 16 yards.
The lead only lasted four minutes. Juan Miranda had put a dangerous ball across the face of goal moments earlier but McCausland did not heed the warning and failed to track the left-back's forward run. Miranda burst on to a deft flick from Borja Iglesias and drilled the ball inside the far post.
Rangers survived a torrent of pressure as Betis looked to build on their equaliser. Ben Davies produced a vital block, Andres Guardado hit the underside of the crossbar and Jack Butland tipped over Hector Bellerin's strike.
Rangers withstood the pressure and regained the lead in the 20th minute, seconds after taking a throw-in inside their own half. Dessers headed inside for Jose Cifuentes and ran on to the return ball down the left wing.
The Nigeria international went a long way to winning over the Gers fans following a slow start to his Ibrox career when he beat his man and slipped the ball through the goalkeeper's legs.
This time the lead lasted 17 minutes. Rangers were on the back foot after an attacking move broke down but they had plenty of men back, however Tavernier was slow to spot the danger as Ayoze Perez loitered with intent outside the right-back.
The former Newcastle and Leicester striker curled an inch-perfect first-time shot just inside the far post after being set up by Isco.
Sima and Dessers threatened before the break but Rangers - with Dujon Sterling on for Cifuentes - faced pressure at the start of the second period as Betis twice threatened from set-pieces. Assane Diao headed against the crossbar and Marc Roca miscontrolled the ball inside the six-yard box, allowing Butland to block.
Sam Lammers briefly looked like going clear on goal after dribbling past two players but he seemed to go down easily after being tripped just outside the box and Borna Barisic's free-kick was blocked.
Rangers had another nervy moment waiting on the VAR verdict when Perez had a goal disallowed for handball after bundling home a rebound.
It was Rangers who struck from similar range moments later.
The Gers generally managed the latter stages well until late in stoppage-time when substitute Rabbi Matondo in particular showed naivety in shooting from long range, however Butland scrambled to stop Willian Jose's header creeping in.
The final whistle soon sounded to continue Rangers' promising run under recently-appointed manager Philippe Clement, who could now get his hands on his first piece of silverware in Scotland after Sunday's Viaplay Cup final against Aberdeen.
Rangers will now focus on the Viaplay Cup Final against Aberdeen on Sunday at Hamden Park, kick-off at 3pm.
Real Betis are also in action on Sunday afternoon as they visit Real Sociedad in LaLiga, kick-off at 3.15pm.
