It should have been the night Rangers finally broke through. Instead, it became another painful chapter in their European struggles. On Thursday, November 28, 2024, Rangers Football Club held a 1-0 lead over SC Braga at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow — only to watch Spanish defender Gabri Martinez equalize in the 69th minute, snuffing out any hope of a first Europa League win this season. The final whistle blew on a 1-1 draw that left fans stunned, players frustrated, and manager Danny Rohl questioning why his side couldn’t capitalize on a red card advantage that lasted over 30 minutes.
A Penalty, a Red Card, and a Missed Opportunity
Captain James Tavernier put Rangers ahead from the spot in the 45th minute, calmly converting after a handball in the box. The home crowd roared — their first goal in European play since September. But the momentum didn’t last. Just 15 minutes into the second half, Rodrigo Zalazar of Braga lunged forward with his head toward Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin. The referee didn’t hesitate: straight red. Braga were down to 10 men. Rangers had the numbers. The script seemed written.But football rarely follows scripts. Instead of pressing forward with purpose, Rangers grew cautious. Their expected goals (xG) of 1.63 from 12 shots didn’t reflect the dominance they claimed. Half of those attempts came after Braga’s equalizer — a sign, perhaps, of desperation rather than control. And then came the twist: Gabri Martinez, Braga’s usually quiet defender, pounced on a loose clearance from Nasser Djiga. One touch. Low, hard, into the bottom-left corner. 1-1. The stadium fell silent.
Chaos at the Death: Two Reds, One Draw
Just as Rangers began to believe they might steal it, chaos erupted. In the 95th minute, Mohamed Diomande — already on a yellow — tangled with a Braga attacker and received his second booking. Both teams finished with 10 men. The referee’s whistle echoed through Ibrox like a final verdict: no winner. Goalkeeper Jordan Butland had pulled off two vital stops in stoppage time — denying Amine El Ouazzani and Victor Gomez — but it wasn’t enough. Rangers had the chances. They had the advantage. They still couldn’t win.Statistically, it was a bizarre night. Braga generated 1.7 xG — more than Rangers — despite playing with 10 men for 32 minutes. Rangers had three shots on target in the second half. So did Braga. The numbers didn’t lie: this wasn’t a case of bad luck. It was a case of missed execution. And worse, it was a case of squandered opportunity.
Manager’s Frustration and Fan Fatigue
Manager Danny Rohl didn’t hide his disappointment after the match. "We had the game by the throat," he told reporters. "We had the red card, we had the home crowd, we had the chances. To not take three points is unacceptable." His words echoed through the dressing room — and beyond. Rangers’ sporting director Ross Wilson was spotted in the stands, watching silently. No one knows what he’s thinking, but fans are asking the same question: why are we still here?On the Rangers Journal podcast, commentators Andrew and Chris captured the mood perfectly: "As soon as we got our first shot in the second minute, we seem to be the better team towards the end of the first half and started okay second half... but if you were to ask the fans at the moment, stop the Europa League now and just concentrate in the league, then they would bite your hand off for it."
The sentiment isn’t just emotional — it’s practical. Rangers have lost seven consecutive European matches dating back to last season. They’ve lost all four group games this campaign. And now, with injuries piling up — including concerns over "Germanity" and Aaron, as mentioned on the podcast — the cost of continuing feels higher than ever.
What’s Next for Rangers in Europe?
This draw lifts Rangers off the bottom of their Europa League group — but barely. With only one point from five matches, their knockout hopes are all but dead. Their final group game against an unnamed opponent in December will be a formality, not a fight. The real battle is now domestic. With the Scottish Premiership title race tightening and rivals Celtic closing in, every point in the league matters more than ever.And yet, the club’s European commitments — with midweek travel, squad rotation, and psychological drain — continue to bleed into league performances. The fixture congestion is no longer a scheduling issue. It’s becoming a crisis of identity.
Historical Context: A Pattern Repeating
This isn’t the first time Rangers have been undone by their own inconsistency in Europe. In 2022, they led 2-0 at home against RB Leipzig in the Europa League last-16 — only to lose 3-2 on aggregate. In 2023, they were eliminated by Slavia Prague despite dominating possession. The pattern is clear: when the pressure mounts, their nerve fails. And now, with a new manager still finding his feet, the same doubts are creeping back in.The irony? Ibrox was electric for 60 minutes. The fans sang, waved flags, believed. Then came the equalizer. Then the red card. Then the silence. And now, another season of "what if?"
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn’t Rangers win despite having a numerical advantage?
Despite playing with 10 men for over 30 minutes, Braga created more expected goals (1.7 xG) than Rangers (1.63 xG). Rangers struggled to convert chances, with half of their 12 attempts coming after Braga equalized. Poor decision-making, lack of cutting edge in the final third, and defensive lapses — especially after the red card — cost them. Manager Danny Rohl admitted his team lacked the killer instinct needed to close out the game.
How has this result affected Rangers’ Europa League chances?
Rangers now have just one point from five group matches, leaving them bottom of the table with no realistic path to the knockout stages. Even a win in their final match won’t be enough to overtake the top two teams. Their European campaign is effectively over, raising serious questions about whether continuing in the competition is worth the physical and mental toll on the squad.
What’s the impact of Mohamed Diomande’s red card?
Diomande’s second yellow in the 95th minute meant both teams finished with 10 men — a rare and chaotic end. More importantly, it adds to a growing injury and suspension crisis. With key midfielders already sidelined, Diomande’s suspension for the next league game could force Rohl to reshuffle his entire midfield, potentially weakening their domestic title challenge at a critical time.
Why are fans calling for Rangers to quit the Europa League?
Fans point to the club’s seven-game European losing streak, the physical toll of midweek games, and the distraction from the Scottish Premiership title race. With Celtic leading by a narrow margin and Rangers struggling to win at home in the league, supporters argue that focusing solely on domestic success — and preserving squad fitness — would yield better long-term results than chasing European glory that seems increasingly out of reach.
Was the missed penalty on Djeidi Gassama a turning point?
Commentators on the Rangers Journal podcast believed a clear penalty was missed when Gassama was brought down just before Zalazar’s red card. Had it been awarded and converted, Rangers would have led 2-0, likely changing the entire momentum of the match. The non-call, combined with the lack of VAR intervention, has reignited criticism over officiating standards in European competitions involving Scottish clubs.
What does this mean for manager Danny Rohl’s future?
Rohl’s position remains secure for now, but this result adds pressure. His tactical approach — especially in the final 20 minutes — has been questioned. If Rangers fail to win their next three league games, fan discontent could turn into calls for a managerial change. The club’s board is watching closely, particularly as the January transfer window approaches and key players’ futures remain uncertain.
