Super Eagles star Joe Aribo won the man if the match in Rangers progresses to the Europa League semi-final. The Scottish champions book the spot after Kemar Roofe’s extra-time winner settled a pulsating tie with Braga, who finished with nine men. James Tavernier’s early goal from Joe Aribo’s pass canceled out the Portuguese side’s first-leg lead before he had Ibrox on its feet again with a first-half penalty moments after Vitor Tormena was sent off.
Rangers were utterly dominant, hitting the woodwork twice and having three strikes disallowed, but their profligacy was punished when David Carmo’s header forced extra time. However, a tie with Leipzig was sealed when Roofe knocked in from close range. And as Ibrox rocked, Braga’s hopes of another comeback wilted when Iuri Medeiros was booked and sent off for dissent for arguing over a yellow card.
Rangers will now travel to Germany for the first leg on 28 April, with the Ibrox return the following Thursday, and the mouthwatering games come to to to to to to to either side of the final Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park. It is Rangers’ first continental semi-final in 14 years, and a huge boost to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men before Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Premiership leaders Celtic at Hampden.
The prospect of a European final against English Premier League side West Ham remains alive, with David Moyes’ men facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the other last-four tie.