Summary

  • Combination of Davies & Sima force in from close range after Roofe denied by stunning save

  • Matondo spurns fine early chance for & Barisic hits bar

  • Sparta Prague beat Aris Limassol 3-2 in other group game

  1. Postpublished at 20:02 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Rangers v Real Betis (20:00)

    Betis, in green and white, are now doing a pre-match huddle.

    You don't need me to tell you the reaction.

  2. Here we gopublished at 20:00 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Rangers v Real Betis (20.00)

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Scotland at Ibrox

    It's colourful in the Broomloan Stand, housing the Rangers ultras.

    Giant, thick streamers coloured blue, white and red have been unfurled from the top deck down to the bottom tier, with 'Rangers Football Club' etched, graffiti style, on a big banner along the front.

    The teams are out, the pre-match Europa League anthem is blaring, and we're good to go here at Ibrox.

    Bring. It. On.

    Rangers fans tifoImage source, SNS
  3. Postpublished at 19:58 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    The players are out.

    Rangers in blue, Betis in green and white.

    I'm sure they'll be welcomed with open arms.

  4. 'Betis the strongest team in group'published at 19:58 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Rangers v Real Betis (20:00)

    Steven Thompson
    Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound

    You might look at the group and expect Rangers to get through, and they have a good opportunity.

    The home games are vitally important. Nothing is decided on the first day of the group, but it can give a platform to build on. You don't want to be chasing your tail. A draw wouldn't be disastrous tonight.

    Betis are the strongest team in the group on paper.

  5. Betis Rangers' biggest test - Millerpublished at 19:56 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Kenny Miller
    Former Rangers striker on Scottish Football Podcast

    This will be Rangers' biggest test, even with it at home. I remember the Betis team that played against Celtic a couple of seasons ago, and it was two fantastic games.

    They will look to attack and score goals. It's hard to judge where Rangers are in relation to Betis, but they'll come and it'll be the sternest task in this group.

    Rangers will be favourites, because they are the top seeds and they're at home, but Betis will be coming here to win.

    It's a home game, and you can put good teams under real pressure at Ibrox. If you're constantly on the front foot, you're aggressive and you get 50,000 fans behind you, then magic things can happen.

  6. Goals galore at Ibrox tonight?published at 19:53 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Rangers v Real Betis, 20.00

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Sport Scotland at Ibrox

    In their last two home European matches, Rangers found the net four times against Servette and PSV Eindhoven.

    The last time Real Betis faced Scottish opposition a couple of years ago in this competition, they put four past Celtic in Seville but conceded three before losing 3-2 at Celtic Park in the return fixture.

    Neck on the line here: This won't be 0-0 tonight.

    IscoImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Five-time Champions League winner Isco starts for Real Betis

  7. Pre-match stats: Tavernier to add to tally?published at 19:50 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Rangers v Real Betis (20:00)

    • Rangers and Real Betis have never previously faced each other in any European competition, but the Ibrox side are winless in their last 15 major European games against Spanish teams since a 1-0 win over Osasuna in September 1985 in the Uefa Cup.
    • Real Betis' only previous encounter with a Scottish side in major European competition was against Celtic in the 2021-22 Europa League group stage - they won 4-3 at home before losing 3-2 away.
    • Rangers have won five of their last six home Europa League matches since a 2-0 defeat against Lyon in September 2021.
    • Real Betis have lost just twice in their last 19 Europa League group-stage matches, both away defeats in the 2021-22 season against Bayer Leverkusen and Celtic.
    • James Tavernier has scored 10 goals in the Europa League for Rangers - the only English players with more goals in the competition are Marcus Rashford (13), Harry Kane (11) and Jermain Defoe (11).
  8. Six switches for Betispublished at 19:48 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Rangers v Real Betis (20:00)

    After getting a battering at the hands of Barcelona at the weekend, Real Betis manager Manuel Pelligrini shuffles the deck.

    The experienced coach makes six changes, with Rui Silva, Chadi Riad, Juan Miranda, Sergi Altimira, Willian Jose and Ayoze Perez all dropping out.

    They're replaced by Claudio Bravo, German Pezzella, Abner Vinicius, Guido Rodriguez, Abde Ezzalzouli and Borja Iglesias.

    Hector BellerinImage source, SNS
  9. Next up: Ibroxpublished at 19:47 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Rangers v Real Betis (20:00)

    We'll have more reaction from Frankfurt as it drops.

    In the meantime, our attention turns to Govan.

    IbroxImage source, SNS
  10. 'Excellent performance'published at 19:45 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    Ally McCoist
    Former Rangers striker & manager on TNT Sports

    I thought it was an excellent performance from Aberdeen. They'll be disappointed.

    Overall, I think Barry Robson and his players will be very proud of that performance.

    Players fighting for ballImage source, SNS
  11. 'Sokler chance was the moment'published at 19:44 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    Stephen Craigan
    Former Motherwell defender on TNT Sports

    That Sokler chance was the one they were waiting for. He just put too much on it.

    Barry Robson had his head in his hands. Sokler had his head in his head in his hands.

    That was the chance.

  12. 'Robson changes almost changed game'published at 19:43 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    FT: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    Willie Miller
    Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

    Barry Robson's substitutions almost turned the game around. Frankfurt took their foot off the gas, but Aberdeen made positive subs.

    For a brief moment, we saw what Duk was capable of. Nothing came of the good chances which is really disappointing.

  13. FULL-TIME: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeenpublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Aberdeen, fair play. What an effort.

    A Robin Koch header breaks Dons hearts in Frankfurt.

    Barry Robson can take so much pride from that performance though.

    Aberdeen players frustratedImage source, SNS
  14. Postpublished at 19:41 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    That might be it.

    Eintracht win a foul deep in their half.

  15. Postpublished at 19:41 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    Duk wrestles his way to the bye-line and fizzes on across goal but it misses everyone.

    Aberdeen are really going for this.

  16. CLOSE!published at 19:40 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    THAT WAS IT! THAT WAS THE CHANCE!

    The free-kick comes back across the face of goal and drops for Ester Sokler, who slices a glorious effort wide of the top-right corner.

    Ahhhh.

  17. Postpublished at 19:38 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    Eintracht clear but they've given away another free-kick for clip on Jonny Hayes.

    This is in a promising position...

  18. Postpublished at 19:38 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    Aberdeen have throw deep in Eintracht's half.

    It's going to go in long...

  19. Postpublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    The clock has hit 90.

    The Aberdeen fans are in fine voice.

    Up goes the board. FIVE minutes added.

  20. Postpublished at 19:35 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

    Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Aberdeen

    All of a sudden, Aberdeen are winning set pieces.

    There's a moment in this for them. They just need one.