Rangers upset Borussia Dortmund to reach Europa League Round of 16

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:59 am
Rangers' James Tavernier celebrates after opening the first of his two goals in the 2-2 Europa League draw with Borussia Dortmund at Ibrox.
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Rangers completed a memorable upset of Borussia Dortmund to reach the Europa League Round of 16, drawing 2-2 with the Bundesliga giants at Ibrox on Thursday to secure a 6-4 aggregate win.

After a stunning 4-2 triumph in Germany a week ago, Rangers finished the task back in Glasgow following another breathless 90 minutes.

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Rangers defender James Tavernier, just as he did last week in Dortmund, opened the scoring from the penalty spot, this time after Ryan Kent was tripped by Julian Brandt. Dortmund fought back from that 22nd-minute setback, threatening Rangers' hold on the tie with two goals before half-time from Jude Bellingham and Donyell Malen to take the lead on the night.

Rangers, though, eased the nerves around Ibrox when Tavernier struck again in the 57th minute. The Scottish champions' path could have been made even smoother if not for having a goal ruled out midway through the second half after a VAR review determined that Alfredo Morelos had committed a foul on Emre Can in the buildup.

The win puts Rangers into the Europa League last 16 for the third successive season. Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side will learn their next opponents in the draw in Nyon on Friday.