Summary

  • Ruiz fires first-half opener into bottom corner after Braga hit post and have goal ruled out by VAR for foul on Jack

  • Sakala has early effort cleared and blasts over as Rangers struggle to create

  • Goldson sends free header wide after break - and McGregor denies Horta at other end - as Rangers finish with no efforts on target

  • Second leg next Thursday at Ibrox; winners of tie will face either RB Leipzig or Atalanta in semis

  1. Postpublished at 70 mins

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    We tick into the final 20 minutes and Rangers produce a good move. Under immense pressure from Braga players, Calvin Bassey surges from his own box into open space.

    It's worked down the right and James Tavernier finds Scott Arfield, who wins a corner.

  2. Postpublished at 21:30 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Rory Loy
    Former Rangers & Dunfermline forward

    Quote Message

    It'll take Braga five or ten minutes to get used to where Aribo is going to play. It'll break up their momentum and give Rangers more of a foothold in this game.

  3. CLOSE!published at 67 mins

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Rodrigo Gomes works some room on the left edge of the Rangers box and drills a shot in, but it's a comfortable save for Allan McGregor.

  4. PENALTY APPEALpublished at 65 mins

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    The substitutes make an instant impact. A good steal in the middle of the pitch sets up Joe Aribo to cross for Kemar Roofe.

    The Rangers striker goes down and claims he was pushed. The referee says no.

    Looked like he might have slipped but it's hard to tell.

  5. Triple subpublished at 61 mins

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Looks like Giovanni van Bronckhorst is going to make a triple substitution.

    Braga are in total control, even though it's only 1-0.

    Here come the changes. Joe Aribo, Kemar Roofe, and Borna Barisic are on for Leon Balogun, Fashion Sakala, and Ryan Jack.

  6. Postpublished at 57 mins

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Fabiano fouls Glen Kamara and James Tavernier's delivery eventually falls to Scott Arfield, who's volley is blocked.

    A bit better from Rangers but they're struggling to control the ball.

  7. Postpublished at 55 mins

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Another Rangers corner is easily headed away by Abel Ruiz. James Tavernier's delivery is usually so reliable but he's hit the first man a few times tonight.

  8. Postpublished at 54 mins

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Braga are in control at the moment.

    Plenty of crosses coming into the box, and the hosts are also pressing well to win the ball back.

    A punt up the park almost comes off as Ryan Kent tussles with his marker, but Braga recover.

  9. Postpublished at 21:13 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Rory Loy
    Former Rangers & Dunfermline forward

    Quote Message

    Going back to Ibrox 1-0 down isn't a disaster, but they need to be more proactive in trying to get a goal themselves.

  10. Postpublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Scott Mullen
    BBC Scotland at the Municipal Stadium Braga

    Braga's high press is suffocating Rangers here. A short goal kick from Allan McGregor was taken as four home players lined up outside the box ready to pounce.

  11. Rangers switch it uppublished at 47 mins

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    It looks as though Rangers have gone three at the back. Ryan Kent has pushed up to play alongside Fashion Sakala in attack.

    Braga with the early possession, though. Connor Goldson concedes a corner by cutting out a cross.

  12. KICK-OFFpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Here we go. What have Rangers got?

  13. Stat attackpublished at 21:06 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

    HT: Braga 1-0 Rangers

    The last time Rangers didn't manage a shot on target in the first half of a European game was away to Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 when they lost 1-0.

    They've done it again tonight. A big response needed.

  14. Postpublished at 21:02 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

    HT: Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Richard Foster
    Former Rangers defender on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    The goal was coming. The worrying thing is, Rangers didn't know what to do to stop it. They stayed open and allowed Braga to feel their way into the game.

  15. 'An uphill battle'published at 21:00 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

    HT: Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Mark Hateley
    Former Rangers striker on Sportsound

    Quote Message

    I reckon Braga deserve the lead, after a pretty good start from Rangers. They just weren't effective enough in the box. If you were watching the first ten or fifteen minutes, you'd be optimistic. After that, it was out of their hands. It's an uphill battle to get back into this game.

  16. Postpublished at 20:56 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

    HT: Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Scott Mullen
    BBC Scotland at the Municipal Stadium Braga

    Giovanni van Bronckhorst has spent most of the first half on the periphery of his technical area, his hands either crossed or behind his back. Within a second of the half-time whistle he was straight down the tunnel.

    A big 15 minutes for him now.

  17. HALF-TIME - Braga 1-0 Rangerspublished at 20:52 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

    Abel Ruiz's fine goal five minutes before the break is the difference.

    Braga have also hit the post and had a goal chalked off by VAR for a foul on Ryan Jack in the build up.

    Before all that Rangers were playing pretty well, but again their play in the final third has let them down.

    Rangers' Scott Arfield in action with Braga's Andre HortaImage source, Reuters
  18. Postpublished at 45 mins +3

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Glen Kamara wins a free kick in the Braga half, but James Tavernier's delivery is dealt with by Braga goalkeeper Matheus.

    The crossing hasn't been great from Rangers.

  19. Postpublished at 45 mins +1

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    There are four minutes of added time at the end of the half. Braga are pressing high and trying to force Rangers back.

  20. Rangers response?published at 44 mins

    Braga 1-0 Rangers

    Can Rangers find a response before the break? After a strong start they're under the cosh a bit.

    The Scottish champions do work a nice move though, as Fashion Sakala makes a first-time pass to John Lundstram, who drills a shot straight at Braga goalkeeper Matheus.