Rangers out of Europa League as Rafa Silva strike gives Benfica victory at Ibrox
Rangers 0 Benfica 1
Rangers were knocked out of the Europa League after conceding the only goal against Benfica at Ibrox to lose 3-2 on aggregate.
Philippe Clement's side were caught on the counter-attack by a simple forward ball in the 66th minute and Rafa Silva's goal stood following a VAR check after initially being ruled out for offside.
Rangers had twice taken the lead in Lisbon last week but a penalty and an own goal cost them victory in the first leg and they could not take advantage of several chances in a tighter affair in Glasgow.
The Rangers fans in the Broomloan Stand produced a massive pre-match display that showed their sights were very much on the road to Dublin for the final on May 22 ahead of the last-16 second leg.
But there will be no repeat of the club's run to the 2022 final and the cinch Premiership leaders must now focus on what could still be a highly successful domestic season with a treble a real possibility.
Benfica had some good early possession but Rangers had the first real chance when Tom Lawrence combined with Fabio Silva and fired a shot which Anatoliy Trubin let through his legs. The visiting goalkeeper was fortunate to see the ball trundle wide after hitting off his leg.
Lawrence soon had another chance when James Tavernier's clever low corner gave him a free shot at goal 15 yards out but he failed to connect properly.
Jack Butland showed good hands in the slippery conditions to hold Alexander Bah's long-range strike.
The vast majority of the 50,000 fans, including the Benfica supporters, paid tribute in the 25th minute to young Rangers fan Thomas McAllister, who died while in Lisbon for the first leg.
The first half continued in a more cagey fashion than that 2-2 draw in Portugal.
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