Rangers bounce back to beat Braga in Europa League

Rangers came from behind to beat Braga 3-2 in the first leg of their Europa League tie and take an advantage to next week’s decider in Portugal.

The visitors were two goals to the good thanks to Fransergio and Abel Riuz but Ianis Hagi scored after 67 minutes to spark a Ranegrs comeback.

Substitute Joe Aribo equalised before a Hagi free kick was deflected in and Rangers claimed a huge win.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard had described Braga as “the form team in Portugal” before the match and the visitors lived up to their billing from the start.

After enjoying the lion’s share of early possession, they got their reward after 11 minutes when captain Fransergio unleashed a powerful, dipping shot from 22 yards that Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor couldn’t stop.

The Ibrox side worked hard to get back into the game but couldn’t get level and there was a further blow before half time when Alfredo Morelos was yellow carded for dissent, with the booking ruling him out of next week’s return match.

After the break, Braga pushed forward to increase their advantage and Fransergio hit the bar with another driving shot. Morelos went close again when he was close to knocking a loose ball over the line.

Braga got their second goal soon after, Francisco Trincao’s back heel set up Abel Ruiz who netted with a low drive.

Rangers looked down and out but minutes later, Hagi picked up the nall on the right of the box, drew a defender in and then whipped a shot into the bottom corner of the goal.

Ibrox was lifted and the crowd erupted when Aribo levelled the score. The midfielder picked his way through a crowd of players to bury a left-footed shot.

After fighting back to level terms, Rangers then enjoyed a stroke of good fortune to take the lead. Hagi stepped up to hit a free kick and a wicked deflection off the wall wrong-footed goalkeeper Matheus and settled between the posts.