Morelos breaks record as Rangers draw against Benfica

Rangers let slip a two-goal lead as they drew 3-3 with Benfica in Portugal in their Europa League match.

Alfredo Morelos became the club’s leading European goalscorer on a night when Rangers came away from the toughest fixture in Group D with a point but will regret not having held on for a win.

The Portuguese side were ahead within two minutes when Filip Helander’s error gave Rafa Silva space in the box and his cutback came off Connor Goldson and into his own net.

Steven Gerrard’s side were given a boost after 19 minutes when Nicolas Otamendi fouled Ryan Kent when the attacked was racing towards goal and the Benfica defender was shown a red card.

Five minutes later Rangers were level when Dani Goncalves scored an own goal from a James Tavernier cross and immediately after the restart Glen Kamara put the visitors ahead.

Morelos broke down the right flank and played a low cross-field ball that Kamara picked up before cutting inside and placing a shot low inside the near post..

Rangers pushed to make the most of their advantage and in the 52nd minute Morelos scored his side’s third. He was perfectly placed to knock in Tavernier’s low cross and break Ally McCoist’s record of 21 European goals.

Despite being a man down, Benfica pulled a goal back with 13 minutes left when Silva scored and the warning wasn’t heeded by Rangers, who failed to see the game out.

In stoppage time Darwin Nunez raced through a hole in the Rangers defence to equalise and deny Steven Gerrard’s side the win.