Rangers pulled off a shocking 4-2 win away to Borussia Dortmund on Thursday to take command of their Europa League knockout stage playoff tie.
A penalty from James Tavernier put the Glasgow aspect forward within the thirty eighth minute earlier than Colombian ahead Alfredo Morelos doubled their benefit within the forty first, tapping in from shut vary following a well-worked nook routine made simpler by slack marking from Dortmund.
A thumping first-time strike from John Lundstram from outdoors the field put Rangers in dreamland within the forty ninth minute though England midfielder Jude Bellingham rapidly pulled a goal again within the 51st, smashing into the online from outdoors the field to present the hosts a foothold within the sport.
Rangers took no time to reply, restoring their three-goal benefit within the 54th with an personal goal from Dortmund defender Dan-Axel Zagadou, who deflected a strike from the full of life Morelos past the attain of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund salvaged some hope for subsequent week’s second leg at Ibrox with a piledriver from Raphael Guerreiro within the 82nd minute whereas defender Mats Hummels tried to drag one other goal again deep in stoppage time however may solely produce a wayward shot which flew over the bar.
A diminished capability on account of coronavirus restrictions made for a subdued environment on the Sign Iduna Park, with solely 10,000 followers current within the stadium the place one stand is nicknamed the Yellow Wall because of the noise emanating from it.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s aspect made the a lot of the diminished residence crowd and had been completely dominant in opposition to Dortmund, who’re second within the Bundesliga and often very dependable at residence, having gained 12 of their 15 residence video games within the league and in Europe.
They had been nonetheless lacking injured prime scorer Erling Haaland, who may return in time for the second leg, the place 50,000 followers are set to pile right into a full-capacity Ibrox hoping to see their aspect full the job in opposition to one in every of Europe’s powerhouses.