Rangers fought valiantly, holding on for over two hours, but Athletic Club of Bilbao proved too strong, ending their Europa League dream with a 2-0 victory in the second leg of their quarter-final. Despite a disciplined defensive performance, Rangers ultimately fell short, and it is Athletic who will now face Manchester United in the semi-finals, keeping their hopes of a first European title alive.
The tie was finely poised after a goalless first leg, with Rangers putting in a determined effort, particularly as they were reduced to 10 men early in the match. In the return leg at San Mamés, they continued to hold firm, still tied at 0-0 after 48 minutes. But Athletic broke the deadlock with a penalty from Oihan Sancet, which proved to be the catalyst for the final blow. Rangers were unable to recover from that, despite a few moments of promise in attack.
Liam Kelly, who had been the hero in the first leg with a penalty save, couldn’t replicate that feat this time. Sancet sent him the wrong way from the spot, and Rangers’ hopes of staging a remarkable comeback were dashed. Manager Barry Ferguson expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that while his team’s work rate was commendable, they lacked the quality needed to make a significant impact. Over the two legs, Rangers had only two shots on target, illustrating their struggles in the final third.
Athletic dominated much of the match, consistently pressing Rangers and creating numerous chances. Nico Williams, a standout performer, tormented the Rangers defense with his pace and skill, while Óscar de Marcos delivered dangerous crosses into the box. In the middle, Maroan Sannadi, who had only recently risen from third-tier football, played a pivotal role in the build-up to several key moments, showcasing his strength and presence in attack.
Rangers’ task was always going to be difficult, and they were forced into a defensive role for much of the game. Despite some decent counter-attacks, including a rare long-range attempt by Vaclav Cerny, Rangers struggled to break down Athletic’s defense. They were fortunate not to concede earlier, with Cyriel Dessers claiming he was fouled in the box, only for the referee to wave away his appeals. However, as the game wore on, the pressure from Athletic became overwhelming.
The breakthrough finally came in first-half stoppage time when Sannadi was fouled in the box by John Souttar, giving Athletic their second penalty. Sancet stepped up again and converted, giving the Basques a crucial 1-0 lead. Rangers, though, did not give up and created some nervy moments for Athletic. Cerny’s free-kick was blocked, and the rebound fell to Nicolas Raskin, who struck the post from close range. The frustration was palpable on the Rangers bench, with Ferguson demanding a handball call on Yeray Álvarez, but it was not to be.
In the second half, Rangers continued to press, and they had their first shot on target in the 68th minute. However, Athletic’s relentless attack eventually paid off. With just 10 minutes remaining, a perfect cross from de Marcos found Nico Williams at the far post, and the winger made no mistake, heading in to seal the win and send Athletic into the semi-finals.
Despite their defeat, Rangers showed admirable spirit, but it was clear that Athletic’s superior quality and attacking prowess ultimately decided the tie. The Bilbao side now look ahead to a semi-final clash with Manchester United, with both clubs aiming for their first continental title.
