Rangers vs Real Betis LIVE: Europa League result, final score and reaction

The Europa League Group C clash sees Ibrox host opponents from LaLiga

(Action Images via Reuters)

Abdallah Sima’s second-half goal delivered a 1-0 victory for Rangers against Real Betis in their opening Europa League group match at Ibrox.

The forward poked home a shot from close range to settle a competitive match between the two of the favourites to progress to the knockout stages.

Michael Beale’s side also struck the frame of the goal twice in a strong second-half display and had goalkeeper Jack Butland to thank for making several key saves, especially in the opening period.

Ranger’s winner arrived after 68 minutes, Sima slamming in a loose ball as Betis failed to properly deal with a goalmouth scramble after Bravo made a stunning stop to repel Roofe’s volley.

Betis pushed for a leveller but two big saves from Butland denied substitute Rodri.

Rangers vs Real Betis - Europa League LIVE

• Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier (C), Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Cifuentes, Lawrence, Matondo, Sima, Roofe
• Betis XI: Bravo, Bellerin, Pezzella, Bartra, Abner, Rodriguez, Marc Roca, Luiz Henrique, Isco, Ez Abde, Iglesias
• GOAL! 67’ - Davies scrambles home the ball from a corner after fantastic save from Bravo (1-0)
• REPORT: Rangers edge out Betis in Europa League opener

[21 September 2023 21:42 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

80 mins: Substitution.

Ryan Jack replaces Jose Cifuentes.

Betis are going all out to try and get themselves level, and Goldson manages to prevent Isco going past him inside the box.

Butland is then forced to make a solid save from substitute Rodri, diving down to his right to keep his side in front.

[21 September 2023 21:38 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

77 mins: Betis have responded well to going behind, with Pellegrini’s subs appearing to have lifted his side.

Can the Spanish side get themselves back level?

[21 September 2023 21:36 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

75 mins: Jack Butland is forced to tip the ball over the bar as a dangerous cross comes in.

A glancing header from the resulting corner almost falls to Marc Bartra at the back post, but couldn’t stretch far enough to make contact with the ball.

[21 September 2023 21:33 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

71 mins: Substitution.

Pelligrini turns to the bench in an effort to turn the game around.

Three changes are made as Ayoze Perez, Willian Jose, and Rodri replace Henrique, Iglesias, and Abde Ez.

The two widemen were fantastic for Betis in the first half, but have drifted out of the game since Rangers took control.

The Spanish side have effectively replaced their entire forward line.

[21 September 2023 21:30 · George Litchfield]

GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Real Betis (Davies, 67’)

67 mins: GOAL! Rangers have finally made the pressure pay!

A corner is flicked back into the box at the back post, where Claudio Bravo is extremely unfortunate as he makes a magnificent close range save from Roofe, but defender Ben Davies manages to eventually to tap the ball home after a Real Betis defender fails to clear.

A well deserved lead for Michael Beale’s side.

[21 September 2023 21:28 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

66 mins: Rangers are really building momentum now, and win another corner after a sustained period of pressure which sees several shots blocked.

Reports are that Lawrence’s substutiton was primarily cautionary, which is good news for the 29-year-old who has struggled with injury.

[21 September 2023 21:26 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

64 mins: Matondo tries a shot after cutting in from the left hand side, which is blocked but falls to Sima.

Sima chests the ball into the path of Lammers, but the ball just dosen’t quite fall right and his volley is blocked for a Rangers corner.

Betis broke quickly after the resulting delivery was headed out, and Connor Goldson takes a yellow card in order to stop the dangerous attack.

[21 September 2023 21:22 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

60 mins: Substitution.

Tom Lawrence went down in the middle of the park, which is not ideal for Michael Beale given the Welshman has just returned after being out of action for over a year after a serious knee injury.

He is replaced by Sam Lammers.

[21 September 2023 21:20 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

58 mins: Rangers seem to made good on the promise they showed towards the end of the first half.

Michael Beale’s side have looked in control in the 15 minutes played since the restart, but just haven’t managed to get the opening goal.

[21 September 2023 21:17 · George Litchfiel]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

55 mins: Post! Barisic shows his wand of a left-foot, as his free-kick dips over the wall and just bounces off the crossbar.

Ally McCoist thinks if the set-piece was from just slightly further out, it would almost have certainly been a goal for Rangers.