UEL: Rangers Edge Past Fenerbahce in Penalty Shootout to Reach Europa League Quarterfinals

Rangers reach the Europa League quarterfinals after defeating Fenerbahce 5-4 in a penalty shootout, following a 2-2 aggregate draw.

Despite suffering a 2-0 loss at Ibrox, Rangers advanced to the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals by winning the tie on penalties. The Scottish side had established a two-goal cushion in the first leg in Istanbul, which ultimately proved decisive in securing their progression.

Rangers began the match on the front foot, intent on building on their aggregate lead. They crafted a prime scoring opportunity when Nicolas Raskin's cut-back found Vaclav Cerny unmarked, but Cerny struggled to get the ball under control, failing to muster a shot on target.

Midway through the half, Rangers weathered a potentially perilous moment when Talisca went down under a challenge from Jefte on the edge of the box. Although contact appeared to have been made, referee Espen Eskas deemed Talisca's tumble to be simulation, issuing the Fenerbahce player a yellow card.

Cerny continued to pose a threat to the Turkish visitors, working himself into a promising position on the edge of the area. This time, he managed to get a shot away, although it rippled the side netting, narrowly missing the target. Fenerbahce had been largely ineffective in the first half, but they conjured a crucial lifeline on the cusp of halftime.

Filip Kostic's powerful run down the left wing culminated in a deflected cross that found Sebastian Szymanski unmarked. Szymanski then produced a stunning volley that sailed over the helpless Jack Butland, reducing Rangers' aggregate lead and setting the stage for a captivating second half.

The second half began with Fenerbahce dictating the tempo, pinning Rangers back on the edge of their own box. Although the Turkish side struggled to create clear-cut chances, Talisca's wayward strike represented their most notable opportunity before the hour mark. As the half wore on, Rangers gradually regained their composure and began to reassert their authority on the match.

Rangers came close to restoring their two-goal cushion when a swift counterattack ended with Hamza Igamane forcing Irfan Can Egribayat into a spectacular diving save, tipping the goal-bound effort around the post. The importance of this save became apparent just minutes later, as Fenerbahce drew level in the tie. Szymanski scored his second goal, converting at the near post after Mert Muldur's cutback found him perfectly positioned.

As the match entered its final stages, both teams traded chances to land a decisive blow that would have won the tie outright. However, neither side could capitalize on these opportunities, and the match ultimately drifted into extra time, with the outcome still hanging precariously in the balance.

Rangers' most promising moments in extra time came when Vaclav Cerny received possession. In the 100th minute, Cerny unleashed a curling left-footed shot that required a spectacular one-handed save from Irfan Can Egribayat to tip the ball over the bar.

Rangers light up Ibrox with a shoot-out win 👏#UEL pic.twitter.com/be0NkSvHul

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 13, 2025

Although Rangers dominated the extra time period, they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Their closest opportunity came when James Tavernier's free-kick forced Egribayat into another stunning save, ensuring the match would be decided by a penalty shootout. With a quarterfinal tie against Athletic Club at stake, the tension was palpable.

The penalty shootout began with a significant advantage for Rangers, as Dusan Tadic missed the opening spot-kick, sending the Ibrox crowd into raptures. This set the tone for the remainder of the shootout, with Jack Butland making another crucial save before Hakan Yandas missed the decisive penalty, securing Rangers' progression to the quarterfinals and a tie against Athletic Club in Bilbao.