Rangers vs Real Betis LIVE: Europa League result, final score and reaction

Abdallah Sima’s second-half goal delivered a 1-0 victory for Rangers against Real Betis in their opening Europa League group match at Ibrox.

The forward poked home a shot from close range to settle a competitive match between the two of the favourites to progress to the knockout stages.

Michael Beale’s side also struck the frame of the goal twice in a strong second-half display and had goalkeeper Jack Butland to thank for making several key saves, especially in the opening period.

Ranger’s winner arrived after 68 minutes, Sima slamming in a loose ball as Betis failed to properly deal with a goalmouth scramble after Bravo made a stunning stop to repel Roofe’s volley.

Betis pushed for a leveller but two big saves from Butland denied substitute Rodri.

Rangers vs Real Betis - Europa League LIVE

• Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier (C), Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Cifuentes, Lawrence, Matondo, Sima, Roofe

• Betis XI: Bravo, Bellerin, Pezzella, Bartra, Abner, Rodriguez, Marc Roca, Luiz Henrique, Isco, Ez Abde, Iglesias

• GOAL! 67’ - Davies scrambles home the ball from a corner after fantastic save from Bravo (1-0)

• REPORT: Rangers edge out Betis in Europa League opener

Rangers FC 1 - 0 Real Betis Balompié

Abdallah Sima fires Rangers to victory in Europa League clash with Real Betis

22:28 , George Litchfield

Abdallah Sima’s second-half goal delivered a 1-0 victory for Rangers against Real Betis in their opening Europa League group match at Ibrox.

The forward poked home a shot from close range to settle a competitive match between the two of the favourites to progress to the knockout stages.

Abdallah Sima fires Rangers to victory in Europa League clash with Real Betis

Michael Beale feels win is ‘step in right direction’

22:16 , George Litchfield

Rangers manager Michael Beale was understandably pleased with his side’s win at home over Real Betis.

“It was a really good opponent, and we didn’t show enough belief with the ball in the first half,” Beale said after the match.

“We spoke at half time about having more belief, more desire, more passion and I think the goal really typifies that as we won the ball everytime it fell.

“The desire of the team on that set play won it.

“It wasnt perfect, we need to improve, but it's a step in the right direction.”

FT: Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

22:08 , George Litchfield

Rangers started their Europa League campaign against Betis with a well-deserved win against the Europa League side.

The game didn’t flow well in the first half, with both sides struggling for fluency, and with lots of stops and starts.

Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo had a brilliant chance in only the fifth minute however, being played in behind from just over the halfway line. The winger could not set himself though and his resulting finish was easy for Claudio Bravo.

Betis then edged a large portion of the first half, with Abe Ez looking really dangerous as he repeatedly broke into the box and had no hesitation in taking on the Rangers backline.

Roca was also performed well for Betis along with the two fullbacks, and Rangers really struggled to play through the midfield, instead looking a lot more threatening with long balls over the top of the defence.

Michael Beale’s side took control in the latter stages of the first half, with a good chance for Abdallah Sima falling shortly before the interval.

Rangers started the second half the way they ended the first, with Barisic inches away from scoring a fantastic free-kick, and Hector Bellerin just doing enough to prevent Matondo from guiding home a brilliant cross from Sima.

After coming close on a number of occasions, the home side eventually broke through from a corner when Ben Davies scrambled home a shot following a fantastic save from Claudio Bravo, who denied Kemar Roofe from point-blank range.

Betis responded by changing almost their entire frontline, with their widemen having drifted out of the game since Rangers took control. The momentum began to shift again with the introduction of Perez, Jose and Rodri, who really tested the home side’s resolve in the closing stages of the game.

Overall though, a well deserved win for Rangers who had the best chances in the game. An important win for the Scottish side who will be hoping that this kickstarts an otherwise disappointing start to the season.

Full-time! Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:57 , George Litchfield

90+5 mins: Claudio Bravo takes a free-kick long from just outside his own box, and the referee calls time on this Thursday night tie.

Michael Beale’s men have started their Europa League campaign with a win, and a well deserved one at that.

Rangers’ unbeaten run at home in the competition stretches to seven games.

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:55 , George Litchfield

90+3 mins: Assane Diao with a poor shot from edge of the box wide to the right of Jack Butland’s goal.

There’s only a minute left as the goalkeeper kicks the ball long back up the field.

It looks like Rangers will almost certainly triumph now.

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:51 , George Litchfield

90 mins: Save! Jack Butland is forced into action again, as Rodri cuts in from the right hand side and curls a shot at the goalkeeper.

A comfortable but necessary save, which results in a Betis corner which doesn’t amount to anything.

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:50 , George Litchfield

88 mins: Substitution.

Dujon Sterling and Cyriel Dessers replace Sima and Roofe for the home side.

Isco was also replaced by Assane Diao shortly after Ayoze Perez’s chance.

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:48 , George Litchfield

86 mins: Chance! The resulting free-kick is whipped in by Isco, and Butland attempts to get something on the ball but fails to make any contact.

The goal is left open, but Ayoze Perez just overruns and can’t finish from a fairly tight angle.

Another good chance for Betis, who are really knocking on the door now.

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:47 , George Litchfield

86 mins: A free-kick in a dangerous position here for Betis.

A minimal amount of contact from Lammers results in a set-piece just outside the bottom right hand side of Rangers’ box.

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:46 , George Litchfield

84 mins: Chance! Tavernier dives into a challenge which allows Abner to played into the left side of the box.

The left-back attempted to cut the ball back across the box, but just directs it too close to Butland who holds onto the ball.

That was a solid chance for the visitors.

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:42 , George Litchfield

80 mins: Substitution.

Ryan Jack replaces Jose Cifuentes.

Betis are going all out to try and get themselves level, and Goldson manages to prevent Isco going past him inside the box.

Butland is then forced to make a solid save from substitute Rodri, diving down to his right to keep his side in front.

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:38 , George Litchfield

77 mins: Betis have responded well to going behind, with Pellegrini’s subs appearing to have lifted his side.

Can the Spanish side get themselves back level?

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:36 , George Litchfield

75 mins: Jack Butland is forced to tip the ball over the bar as a dangerous cross comes in.

A glancing header from the resulting corner almost falls to Marc Bartra at the back post, but couldn’t stretch far enough to make contact with the ball.

Rangers 1-0 Real Betis

21:33 , George Litchfield

71 mins: Substitution.

Pelligrini turns to the bench in an effort to turn the game around.

Three changes are made as Ayoze Perez, Willian Jose, and Rodri replace Henrique, Iglesias, and Abde Ez.

The two widemen were fantastic for Betis in the first half, but have drifted out of the game since Rangers took control.

The Spanish side have effectively replaced their entire forward line.

GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Real Betis (Davies, 67’)

21:30 , George Litchfield

67 mins: GOAL! Rangers have finally made the pressure pay!

A corner is flicked back into the box at the back post, where Claudio Bravo is extremely unfortunate as he makes a magnificent close range save from Roofe, but defender Ben Davies manages to eventually to tap the ball home after a Real Betis defender fails to clear.

A well deserved lead for Michael Beale’s side.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:28 , George Litchfield

66 mins: Rangers are really building momentum now, and win another corner after a sustained period of pressure which sees several shots blocked.

Reports are that Lawrence’s substutiton was primarily cautionary, which is good news for the 29-year-old who has struggled with injury.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:26 , George Litchfield

64 mins: Matondo tries a shot after cutting in from the left hand side, which is blocked but falls to Sima.

Sima chests the ball into the path of Lammers, but the ball just dosen’t quite fall right and his volley is blocked for a Rangers corner.

Betis broke quickly after the resulting delivery was headed out, and Connor Goldson takes a yellow card in order to stop the dangerous attack.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:22 , George Litchfield

60 mins: Substitution.

Tom Lawrence went down in the middle of the park, which is not ideal for Michael Beale given the Welshman has just returned after being out of action for over a year after a serious knee injury.

He is replaced by Sam Lammers.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:20 , George Litchfield

58 mins: Rangers seem to made good on the promise they showed towards the end of the first half.

Michael Beale’s side have looked in control in the 15 minutes played since the restart, but just haven’t managed to get the opening goal.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:17 , George Litchfiel

55 mins: Post! Barisic shows his wand of a left-foot, as his free-kick dips over the wall and just bounces off the crossbar.

Ally McCoist thinks if the set-piece was from just slightly further out, it would almost have certainly been a goal for Rangers.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:15 , George Litchfield

53 mins: Really dangerous free-kick awarded to Rangers here, just outside the edge of the box.

A really poor challenge from Bartra on Roofe, who caught the Rangers players with his studs even if accidentally.

He is yellow carded by the referee.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:13 , George Litchfiel

51 mins: Close! Cifuentes does well to find Lawrence, who drives forward before unleashing a strike from range.

The ball was not too far at all from the top-right hand corner of Bravo’s goal...

In fact the replay shows it just clips the outside of the post!

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:11 , George Litchfield

49 mins: Chance! A fantastic ball in from Sima, who whips the ball into the box from the right hand side.

Matondo so nearly gets on the end of it at the back post, but Hector Bellerin does brillantly to prevent the winger from guiding it home.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:07 , George Litchfield

45 mins: Kick off! Kemar Roofe gets us back underway here in Glasgow.

Play is stopped inside the first 30-seconds as Henrique goes down after contact with Barisic.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

21:05 , George Litchfield

The atmosphere is lively at The Ibrox, and Michael Beale’s side will want to start the second half strongly and build on the momentum they picked up at the end of the first half.

HT: Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:57 , George Litchfiel

A fairly even contest so far, with both sides struggling for fluency and having a couple of decent chances.

Real Betis probably edged out the early stages of the first half, with Abde Ez’s direct running at the opposition defence standing out in particular for the Spanish side.

It was Rabbi Matondo who had the clearest chance of the half however, being played in behind but eventually hitting a tame shot at Bravo after not setting himself properly.

A good save from Jack Butland then prevented Abde Ez from striking on target, although the official decision was given as a goal-kick.

Rangers initially looked most dangerous when they looked to play it long behind the Betis defence, but grew in momentum towards the end of the half, and finished strongly.

Abdallah Sima had a half chance after the ball fell to him from cross directed towards Matondo, but Bravo was again grateful with the resulting weak effort.

It’s difficult to predict how this game will finish, but a draw wouldn’t be suprising right now.

Half-time: Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:50 , George Litchfield

45+3: Half Time! Real Betis intercept a loose Rangers pass, and look to recycle possession through Pezzella, but the referee blows for half-time.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:47 , George Litchfiel

44 mins: Matonda down the left tries a strike from range which is well wide to the right of Bravo’s goal.

Rangers have certainly picked up momentum in the closing stages of the half.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:46 , George Litchfield

42 mins: Some fantastic skill from Tom Lawrence, who picks up the ball in the middle and almost looks like he is about the weave through the whole defence as he beats one Betis man after another.

Bartra manages to get a toe-in to prevent Lawrence being clean through.

Great play by the Welshman.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:44 , George Litchfield

40 mins: Barisic plays a quality cross into the box, where Matonda attempts to meet a header but is challenged by a Betis defender.

Sima follows in and a tame effort from the forward is comfortably held by Bravo.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:42 , George Litchfield

38 mins: Kemar Roofe tries to find Sima with a cross into the box, but the ball actually falls deep at the far post to James Tavernier.

The fullback plays the ball back into the box again, where Sima flails widely in an acrobatic attempt, with Rangers eventually gaining a throw in down the right-hand side.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:38 , George Litchfield

34 mins: Save! Cifuentes is robbed of the ball in midfield, and Ez Abde again manages to break forward and fires a shot across the Rangers goal towards the far post.

The referee gives a goal-kick, but replays show it was actually a fantastic save from Jack Butland to keep the strike out.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:35 , George Litchfield

32 mins: Rangers win a corner, which is immediately headed out for a second after they opt to not take it short this time.

Tom Lawrence is alert to the resulting second ball, but Rangers fail to create anything meaningful and an overhit pass results in a Betis goal-kick.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:33 , George Litchfield

29 mins: Chance! A delightful ball from Roca, who lofts a ball over the top straight through the two Rangers centre-backs from just over the half-way line.

Ez Abde’s touch is poor though, and the winger fires over the bar wildly. A better set and it would’ve been a really good chance for Pelligrini’s side.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:30 , George Litchfield

26 mins: Ez Abde is looking dangerous for Betis.

The left-winger is more than willing to take on his man, and has managed to almost break through in the box on a number of occasions.

Rangers have had the best chance of the match however through Matondo, and there isn’t much to seperate the two teams.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:25 , George Litchfield

21 mins: Chance! Bravo finds a good long pass to Abner, who plays the ball on to Ezzalzouli.

The winger manages to break in behind the defence, and tries a shot from a tight angle against Butland.

The goalkeeper’s save is unconvincing as it is palmed back into the area, but the ball is eventually cleared to safety.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:21 , George Litchfield

18 mins: Rangers are struggling to find passes in midfield so far in the early part of this game, and have gifted the ball straight back to Manuel Pelligrini’s side on a number of occassions.

So far they have looked most dangerous when looking for the long ball in-behind.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:20 , George Litchfield

16 mins: A slight break in play as Ezzalzouli receives treatment following a head clash with Ben Davies.

The 21-year-old is soon up and ready to go, and a drop ball restarts the game.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:18 , George Litchfield

15 mins: Matondo has gifted possession to Betis a couple of times now, with the Spanish side winning a corner after an extended spell around Rangers’ box.

The resulting delivery is headed away comfortably, with Betis retaining possession in the final third of the pitch, before Ezzalzouli’s long range effort is comfortably dealt with by Butland.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:15 , George Litchfield

11 mins: Bravo shanks out a clearance on his left foot, for Rangers to have a throw deep into the Spanish side’s half.

Michael Beale’s men fail to keep possession however and Igelsias eventually wins a free-kick.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:12 , George Litchfield

9 mins: Betis understandbly look as though they will probably control the majority of possession in this match, with Rangers looking to punish the Spanish side by breaking forward with pace should they rob them of the ball.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:07 , George Litchfiel

4 mins: Chance! A fantastic outside of the boot pass from Kemar Roofe plays Rabbi Matondo through from just past the half-way line, but the winger couldn’t set himself properly and ended up hitting a tame shot at Bravo who clutched onto the ball gratefully.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:06 , George Litchfiel

3 mins: A Betis corner is headed away, but a resulting delivery whipped in from the second phase looked very dangerous.

Luckily the ball ran out for Rangers to take possession.

Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:05 , George Litchfiel

1’ - A loose ball from Betis aimed at Pezzella is intercepted by Kemar Roofe, but the referee blows for a foul in the build-up before the forward can try and create a chance.

Kick off! Rangers 0-0 Real Betis

20:03 , George Litchfield

Betis get us underway here at The Ibrox, immediately trying some quick combination passing down the left-hand side which peters out for a Rangers throw.

Rangers v Real Betis - LIVE

19:58 , George Litchfield

Here come the teams.

Michael Beale when interviewed moments ago said he’s gone as bold as he can with his selection and is looking to take the game to Betis.

Rangers’ 2022 European run proved where they belong

19:53 , George Litchfiel

On many levels, clubs like Real Madrid and Rangers exist and operate in different spheres. But what they share, through being two of European football’s great old clubs, is the belief they belong on stages such as these.

For Rangers, this central character complex survived even when they were demoted down to the fourth tier of Scottish football.

More on Rangers’ 2022 Europa League run:

The power of Rangers’ European run is in proving where they belong

Rangers v Real Betis: 10 minutes until kick-off

19:50 , George Litchfield

Rangers’ Europa League campaign will get underway shortly against Spanish side Real Betis, with it being only 10 minutes until kick-off.

Both sides have struggled for consistency so far this season, although Betis have the far poorer defensive record having conceded ten goals from their opening five games in La Liga.

This one feels like it could have a few goals in it.

It’s Bravo for Betis!

19:44 , George Litchfield

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo does indeed take the place of the injured Rui Silva tonight.

It will be the 40 year-old’s first appearance of the season tonight.

Pellegrini was uncertain whether he would be able to select his second-choice goalkeeper before the match, and may have had to rely on third-choice Francisco Vieites who has very limited experience at the top level.

Rangers unbeaten in six at home in Europa League

19:37 , George Litchfield

Rangers are unbeaten in their last six matches at The Ibrox in the Europa League.

The Scottish side have only lost three games at home in the competition since it was renamed in 2009.

They’ll be hoping to keep this streak going against Betis tonight as the Europa League group stages get underway.

Real Betis line-up

19:30 , George Litchfield

Betis XI: Bravo, Bellerin, Pezzella, Bartra, Abner, Rodriguez, Marc Roca, Luiz Henrique, Isco, Ez Abde, Iglesias

Michael Beale defensive after booing from home fans

19:24 , George Litchfield

Michael Beale’s Rangers side were booed following a 1-0 defeat at home against Old Firm rivals Celtic.

The start of the season hasn’t been ideal for Beale, who are already four points behind their Glasgow rivals after also losing to Kilmarnock.

Michael Beale urges Rangers to ‘dust themselves down’ and be ready after break

Pellegrini says Scottish football is about ‘passion’

19:17 , George Litchfiel

Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini said he understood what Scottish football was about when discussing tonight’s fixture.

The veteran manager said: “I think I have a very good idea of what Scottish football is. It is about passion, direct football, fighting for every goal, trying to go box to box as quickly as they can.

“The intensity of the game is maybe not the same as Spain but it is something we must consider tomorrow because in 95 minutes they play 100 per cent, technical and physical.

“I had the chance to come here not only as a manager and I also came to watch Celtic v Rangers when I was in England as a coach. It is great football with great fans.”

Rangers Changes

19:14 , George Litchfield

Michael Beales makes several changes to his side which beat St. Johnstone last weekend.

Borna Barišić comes in at left-back for Ridvan Yilmaz, and José Cifuentes replaces the injured Nicholas Raskin.

Rabbi Matondo and Abdallah Sima replace Sam Lammers and Danilo going forward.

Rangers line-up

19:09 , George Litchfield

Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier (C), Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Cifuentes, Lawrence, Matondo, Sima, Roofe

Rangers v Real Betis - LIVE

19:02 , George Litchfield

Rangers are without midfielders Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin, while Kieran Dowell is out with a knee injury and Steven Davis hasn’t yet recovered from a cruciate ligament injury.

Striker Danilo will also not feature following surgery on a fractured cheekbone.

Real Betis face problems in the goal-keeping department after Rui Silva was forced off in his side’s 5-0 defeat to Barcelona last weekend, with Claudio Bravo an uncertainty for the Spanish side.

Manager Manuel Pelligrini said pre-match he was hopeful the 40-year-old would be able to start after returning to training, but the Chilean may be forced to play third-choice Francisco Vietes who only made his top-division debut in the drumming against Barça.

Rangers v Real Betis - LIVE

19:00 , George Litchfield

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Europa League group-stage action, as Real Betis head to Glasgow to face Rangers.

Michael Beale hasn’t enjoyed the best start this season in the Scottish Premier League, and will be hoping that a good performance tonight can lift a bit of the pressure.

After reportedly having his job offered to Graham Potter, who turned down the role, a good start in Europe is key for the 43-year-old.

Real Betis changes

19:29 , George Litchfield

Manuel Pellegrini has joined Michael Beale in making quite a few changes to the team who lost heavily to Barcelona last weekend.

Defenders Juan Miranda and Chadi Riad are replaced by Germán Pezzella and Abner.

Sergi Altimira drops out of holding midfield for Guido Rodriguez, while former Premier League man Ayoze Perez is dropped for Ezzalzouli Abde.