Rangers stuns Fenerbahce in UEL last-16 first leg

Rangers defeated Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce 3-1 to earn a superb Europa League first-leg win in Istanbul.

A goal from Cyriel Dessers and a double from Vaclav Cerny gave the Scottish side one foot into the quarter finals.

The visitors scored early, courtesy of Dessers’ six minutes strike. The Nigerian capitalised on a defensive lapse, when Mohamed Diomande pounced on Sebastian Szymanski’s slackness, before Dessers rounded Egribayat to finish.

Fenerbahce tried to fight back but

Youssef En-Nesyri and Eden Dzeko could not find the back of the net.

However, in the 30th minute, defender Alexander Djiku equalised for the hosts, volleying home Nico Raskin’s wayward header.

With three minutes remaining in the first half regular time, Rangers found themselves back in front. Cerny made it 2-1 with a superbly executed goal, after combining well with fellow forward, Dessers.

The Nigerian once again found the net in the second half, but was unlucky to be denied as offside by VAR.

Rangers surged forward again as Jefte released Dessers to force past Egribayat. Again, VAR intervened, denying the Nigeria international for offside.

However, Cerny sealed the contest with Rangers’ third. The Ibrox side’s forward finished a superb counter with a cool finish to earn a splendid victory.

Barry Ferguson will hope to continue the momentum to the quarters, as he welcomes Mourinho’s side next week.