Summary

  • Listen to Sportsound post-match coverage

  • Lawrence heads Diomande cross into bottom corner to give Rangers early lead then Di Maria levels with VAR spot-kick after Souttar handball

  • Sterling soon sweeps in Rangers' second but Goldson heads into own net to gift hosts second-half leveller

  • Sides to meet again at Ibrox next Thursday

  1. G'nightpublished at 22:47 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    That'll do us tonight, troops.

    You'll get more reaction, analysis and be able to give your views on our dedicated Rangers page.

    Click here to get there. It's well worth subscribing for notifications.

    Until the next time...

  2. 'Rangers were close to a miracle' - Clementpublished at 22:43 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    More from Rangers boss Phillipe Clement at his post-match presser...

    "I'm really proud of the performance, the result remains a difficult one. We were really close to a miracle by winning here as the first team ever in the Europa League. It's a pity to get a penalty like that against us, it's really an unlucky situation.

    "It's very harsh. I don't agree with where the game has gone to with the handball rules. As someone who loves football, I have a problem with that rule. The ball is clearly not intended to go to his arm, but those are the rules so we need to accept them.

    "We were really close. I am really, really proud of my team. They showed character, solidarity and personality. We scored two really good goals with good football. I am someone who is demanding towards them, but I cannot ask for more from them. They gave it their all, everything and everyone.

    "We need to continue like this, if they continue to show the mentality they have the last few months, it can be an amazing season.

    "They understand you cannot give away one or two minutes of regrets, it's about being ready and believing in yourself and in your teammates when you go behind. I see the mentality I want to see, and the quality I want to see. I am very happy with what they have shown with and without the ball.

    "It's an advantage that the second leg is at Ibrox because if the fans are on top of it from the first second until the last, they can give a lot of energy to the team. If we can eliminate this team, it would be a big, big thing."

  3. What's next for Rangers?published at 22:39 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Before next Thursday's second leg, Rangers have a quarter-final to attend to.

    They'll face Hibs at Easter Road in their Scottish Cup last-eight tie on Sunday at 17:30 GMT.

    FT: Benfica 2-2 RangersImage source, SNS
  4. 'Nothing to fear for Rangers'published at 22:36 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Steven Thompson
    Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound

    Rangers don't have anything to fear for the second leg.

    And you'd expect them to create more opportunities at Ibrox. I'd make Rangers slight favourites to go through now.

  5. Postpublished at 22:34 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    You can hear more from Philippe Clement on Sportsound right now.

    The Rangers manager is currently speaking at his post-match presser.

  6. Clement 'very proud' of Rangerspublished at 22:31 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Rangers manager Phillipe Clement isn't totally satisfied, but he's "very proud" of his side.

    "I'm not happy, but we were really close to writing history here," he tells TNT Sports. "I'm proud of my team, though. That is another thing, they showed team mentality.

    "We scored good goals, and there were unlucky goals against. You can't jump with hands behind your back, so John [Souttar] can't do anything [for the penalty].

    "It would have been amazing otherwise, it was a really strong performance.

    "It's a big challenge [next week]. I cannot ask for more than what they gave me today, so I'm looking for the same next Thursday.

    "But first, the same on Sunday [against Hibs]."

    Philippe ClementImage source, SNS
  7. Postpublished at 22:30 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    Let's hear from the Rangers boss...

  8. Record-breaker Goldson...published at 22:27 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Rangers' Conor Goldson has now scored three own goals in the Europa League.

    That's the most of any player in the competition's history (since the rebrand in 2009-10).

    Connor GoldsonImage source, SNS
  9. When's the second leg?published at 22:24 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Next Thursday.

    Unusually, the game at Ibrox will kick off at 17:45 GMT.

  10. 'They won't like coming to Ibrox' - Lawrencepublished at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    FT: Benfica 2-2 RangersImage source, SNS

    Tom Lawrence says Rangers are "disappointed" with the goals they conceded but insists it's very much "game on".

    "A good game all round," the opening goalscorer tells TNT Sports. "We're not happy with the goals conceded, but we'll take 2-2 back to Ibrox next Thursday.

    "[Mohamed Diomande] did well for my goal, he just dinked it over.

    "It's always tough out here, we had to dig deep and the young players warmed to the occasion. They showed how good they are.

    "[Phillipe Clement] always keeps a lid on things, he grounds us well. We had a gameplan in place and we stuck to it.

    "We created chances we should have done better with. When you score two away from home, you think you're going to win the game

    "They won't like coming to Ibrox... game on."

  11. Postpublished at 22:18 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    There's supposedly 15,000 of you still in here.

    How many of you are backing Rangers to get the job done at Ibrox next week?

    Get on those thumbs...

  12. Postpublished at 22:16 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    It's unclear at the moment if Rangers will have any of their injured players back for next week.

    They'll have this place though...

    On European nights, it can be as good as any player.

    IbroxImage source, SNS
  13. 'Europe brings out best in Rangers'published at 22:13 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Kenny Miller
    Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound

    This Rangers team pose a threat and the European nights bring the best from the players.

  14. The statspublished at 22:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Match stats between Benfica and RangersImage source, Opta
  15. Postpublished at 22:08 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    The last three games between these two in the Europa League have now treated us to 14 goals.

    Next week could be a bit mad, y'know.

  16. 'It had everything'published at 22:05 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    FT: Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Ally McCoist
    Former Rangers striker & manager on TNT Sports

    A great game of football, it pretty much had everything.

  17. Postpublished at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    Don't shoot the messenger, but Dujon Sterling has a bit of strapping round his thigh.

    Perhaps just precautionary.

  18. FULL-TIMEpublished at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    And it is.

    Boos ring around the stadium from the home fans as Rangers earn a fantastic result in Lisbon.

    They go again at Ibrox next Thursday.

    Benfica 2-2 RangersImage source, SNS
  19. Postpublished at 22:00 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Nico Raskin does so well to win Rangers a goal kick and that's surely that...

  20. Postpublished at 22:00 Greenwich Mean Time 7 March

    Benfica 2-2 Rangers

    Frustration from Angel Di Maria as he slides in late on John Souttar.

    It wins Rangers a free-kick in their half.

    We've played 94 minutes.