Summary

  • Win puts Rangers into Europa League last 16; Sparta Prague second in group & Betis drop into Conference League

  • Sima flashes Rangers in front but Miranda lashes in leveller amid barrage of Betis pressure

  • Dessers beats two defenders before sliding Rangers back in front but Perez shapes in second equaliser

  • Roofe scrambles in what proves to be winner

  1. KICK-OFFpublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis 0-0 Rangers

    We. Are. Go.

  2. 'Options limited for Clement'published at 19:59 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    Rory Loy
    Former Rangers striker on Sportsound

    The options available to Philippe Clement are extremely limited. This is about as strong a team as he could have put out.

    Clearly there are players there that wouldn't be in the starting XI if everyone was fit, Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers fall into that category.

    On paper it is not a strong looking Rangers team but it is just about all they could get out on the pitch.

  3. 'Rangers' toughest game'published at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    Derek McInnes
    Former Rangers midfielder on TNT Sports

    I think this is Rangers' toughest game in the group.

    They would have preferred to have come here with it already wrapped up.

  4. 'Fans are giving us energy' - Clementpublished at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    Rangers manager Philippe Clement tells TNT Sports: "It's great to have the suport. The fans are giving energy to the team.

    "There wasn't much choice [with team selection]. But it's a good experience for the academy players on the bench.

    "We know we have European qualification secured but we're ambitious."

    Rangers fansImage source, SNS
  5. 'Butland best signing for years'published at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    Ally McCoist
    Former Rangers striker & manager on TNT Sports

    Jack Butland has been the best signing of the lot.

    In fact, he might be Rangers' best signing for a few years. He's been outstanding.

    Jack ButlandImage source, SNS
  6. More stats from Seville, anyone?published at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    • Real Betis have lost their past two Europa League games against Scottish opponents (3-2 vs Celtic in 2021 and 1-0 vs Rangers earlier this season).
    • But Betis have won their past two home matches in the Europa League, last winning three in a row in major European competition between 1998 and 2002 (a run of six).
    • Rangers are unbeaten in their past three Europa League matches (winning once), their best unbeaten run in major European competition since a run of seven between October 2021 and March 2022.
  7. Postpublished at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Brian McLauchlin
    BBC Scotland in Seville

    Around 2,500 fans have made their way to Seville via trains, planes and automobiles.

    Those of a certain age may remember a David Narey 'toe poke' against Brazil here at the World Cup in 1982.

    Rangers won't care who scores tonight. Any sort of victory will do.

  8. Time for heroespublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    Rangers in Spain statImage source, SNS/BBC
  9. What kind of state are Betis in?published at 19:46 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    On the face of it, one win in four outings while sitting seventh in La Liga and already eight points adrift of the top four isn't great.

    But the latest of those games was a 1-1 home draw with Real Madrid, a game manager Manuel Pellegrini thought they should have won.

    If they had, it would have been a seventh successive home win.

    Indeed, they are unbeaten at their own ground in 10 games this season, the last team to beat them there being Getafe in May.

  10. Permutations, permutations, permutationspublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    Europa League Group C table

    While Aberdeen's European journey has come to an end, Rangers' will continue after Christmas.

    The question is whether it will be in the Europa League or Conference League, and that's where it gets a bit confusing...

    A win would be huge for Rangers. It would guarantee top spot, meaning they go straight into the last 16 of the Europa League. But if they fail to win, they'll need a favour from Aris as they host Sparta.

    Second would still mean Europa League football next year, but they would be paired in a play-off with a Champions League dropout for a place in the last 16.

    Worst case scenario, third offers a Conference League safety net.

    Aye, I know, I know, it's a mess. But, don't worry, we'll cross every bridge when we come to it throughout the night. Hold tight.

  11. So Aberdeen are better than Bayern?published at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    FT: Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

    Saturday: Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 Bayern Munich

    Thursday: Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

    Aberdeen 2-0 FrankfurtImage source, Getty Images
  12. Reminder of the teams from Seville...published at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    Real Betis XI: Silva, Bellerin, Pizzella, Roca, Miranda, Carvalho, Isco, Guardado, Diao, Iglesias, Perez.

    Substitutes: Vietes, Garcia, Ezzalzouli, Enrique, Jose, Rodri, Vinicius, Ruibal, Fernandez.

    Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Cifuentes, Lammers, McCausland, Dessers, Sima.

    Substitutes: McCrorie, K.Wright, Souttar, Matondo, Sterling, Roofe, Devine, Lyall, McKinnon.

  13. Next: ✈ We're off to Spainpublished at 19:40 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Real Betis v Rangers (20:00)

    Aberdeen's focus is switching to Hampden, ours is switching to Seville...

    BetisImage source, SNS
    BetisImage source, SNS
    BetisImage source, SNS
  14. 'Aberdeen played their way'published at 19:39 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    FT: Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

    Ally McCoist
    Former Rangers striker & manager on TNT Sports

    There are a couple of great goals in there

    Frankfurt had a lot of possession, but Aberdeen played the way they wanted to play.

    Boy, did they look good on the break.

  15. 'Focus switches to cup final'published at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    FT: Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

    Stephen Craigan
    Former Motherwell captain on TNT Sports

    Once they've taken their applause and get back in that training room, all focus has to switch to the cup final.

    That's the next goal.

  16. FULL-TIMEpublished at 19:36 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

    Aberdeen sign off with their first win in a European group stage in 16 years.

    The perfect warm-up for Sunday's final at Hampden.

    A fine performance against top opposition.

    Duk and MorrisImage source, SNS
  17. Postpublished at 19:36 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

    Eintracht haven't offered anything in stoppage time.

    Aberdeen have won this.

  18. Postpublished at 19:33 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

    Three minutes added at the end of the 90.

  19. Postpublished at 19:32 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

    Eintracht are trying to put pressure on but they can't create anything clear as the Dons' backline continues to stand firm.

  20. 'Aberdeen deserve this result'published at 19:31 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2023

    Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

    Stephen Craigan
    Former Motherwell captain on TNT Sports

    Over the six games, Aberdeen have deserved a result like this.

    Things haven't always gone their way, but the determination they've shown to score in all six games has been great.