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 21:15 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

53 mins: Really dangerous free-kick awarded to Rangers here, just outside the edge of the box.

A really poor challenge from Bartra on Roofe, who caught the Rangers players with his studs even if accidentally.

He is yellow carded by the referee.

[21 September 2023 21:13 · George Litchfiel]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

51 mins: Close! Cifuentes does well to find Lawrence, who drives forward before unleashing a strike from range.

The ball was not too far at all from the top-right hand corner of Bravo’s goal...

In fact the replay shows it just clips the outside of the post!

[21 September 2023 21:11 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

49 mins: Chance! A fantastic ball in from Sima, who whips the ball into the box from the right hand side.

Matondo so nearly gets on the end of it at the back post, but Hector Bellerin does brillantly to prevent the winger from guiding it home.

[21 September 2023 21:07 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

45 mins: Kick off! Kemar Roofe gets us back underway here in Glasgow.

Play is stopped inside the first 30-seconds as Henrique goes down after contact with Barisic.

[21 September 2023 21:05 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

The atmosphere is lively at The Ibrox, and Michael Beale’s side will want to start the second half strongly and build on the momentum they picked up at the end of the first half.

Abde Ez has looked like Real’s danger man so far (Action Images via Reuters)

Abdallah Sima had a half-chance in the 40th minute, but couldn’t put his side ahead (Getty Images)

[21 September 2023 20:57 · George Litchfiel]

HT: Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

A fairly even contest so far, with both sides struggling for fluency and having a couple of decent chances.

Real Betis probably edged out the early stages of the first half, with Abde Ez’s direct running at the opposition defence standing out in particular for the Spanish side.

It was Rabbi Matondo who had the clearest chance of the half however, being played in behind but eventually hitting a tame shot at Bravo after not setting himself properly.

A good save from Jack Butland then prevented Abde Ez from striking on target, although the official decision was given as a goal-kick.

Rangers initially looked most dangerous when they looked to play it long behind the Betis defence, but grew in momentum towards the end of the half, and finished strongly.

Abdallah Sima had a half chance after the ball fell to him from cross directed towards Matondo, but Bravo was again grateful with the resulting weak effort.

It’s difficult to predict how this game will finish, but a draw wouldn’t be suprising right now.

[21 September 2023 20:50 · George Litchfield]

Half-time: Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

45+3: Half Time! Real Betis intercept a loose Rangers pass, and look to recycle possession through Pezzella, but the referee blows for half-time.

[21 September 2023 20:47 · George Litchfiel]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

44 mins: Matonda down the left tries a strike from range which is well wide to the right of Bravo’s goal.

Rangers have certainly picked up momentum in the closing stages of the half.

[21 September 2023 20:46 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

42 mins: Some fantastic skill from Tom Lawrence, who picks up the ball in the middle and almost looks like he is about the weave through the whole defence as he beats one Betis man after another.

Bartra manages to get a toe-in to prevent Lawrence being clean through.

Great play by the Welshman.

[21 September 2023 20:44 · George Litchfield]

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

40 mins: Barisic plays a quality cross into the box, where Matonda attempts to meet a header but is challenged by a Betis defender.

Sima follows in and a tame effort from the forward is comfortably held by Bravo.