BENFICA hold the aces at the end of the first-ever Women's Champions League game played at Ibrox. They required a contentious goal twelve minutes from time to get the win, but they were the better side overall and are favourites to make it to the group stage for a second successive season when the second leg is played in Portugal next week.
Rangers had conceded only one goal in seven games going into the second round tie, but atlhough they took the lead midway through the first half, Benfica had already served warning that it was going to be a difficult night for the home team. Even so, the goal which separated the teams was unfortunate, Croatian referee Ivana Martincic deciding Rangers goalkeeper Vic Esson had taken the ball over the line in her attempt to catch a looping deflection off defender Lisa Martinez.
“We're definitely still in it,” head coach Malky Thomson said. “I've seen the belief that's in that dressing room from the start of the season.
“Benfica started extremely well and put us under a lot of pressure Then the girls got more belief in themselves. European football is new to us but it's invaluable experience to play at Ibrox.
“I think the game will have a different dynamic when we get to Portugal. The form Kayla McCoy was in tonight will do for me in the second leg.”
With both first choice central defenders out injured, Rangers opted for Dutch midfielder Tessel Middag and French defender Martinez between Scotland full backs Rachel McLauchlan and Nicola Docherty. There was also a start in midfield for 17-year-old academy graduate Kirsty Maclean against a side which qualified for the group stage last season.
Benfica started ominously, dominating the game in the opening exchanges. Brazilian striker Marta Cintra sent out an early warning with a hard-driven low ball across the front of goal – but there were no takers to take advantage.
The first ten minutes belonged to the visitors but Rangers finally got themselves into the game before nearly being caught out after 19 minutes. Canadian forward Cloe Lacasse used her pace to get to the byline and cut the ball back to the unmarked Cintra in front of goal.
Somehow, with only Rangers goalkeeper Vic Esson to beat, the Brazilian smashed the ball against the woodwork. Cintra was again involved in a dangerous Benfica move minutes later, but this time her volley hit off the back of a team-mate and was cleared.
Rangers, despite all that had preceded, took the lead midway through the half. Right winger Brogan Hay took the ball past Ferreira Silva and delivered a fine cross which Kayla McCoy headed home at the near post.
The goal changed the earlier dynamics and Jenny Danielsson had a shot saved by Benfica goalie Rute Costa. Another great ball from Hay found no takers but, as with Rangers' opener, it was Benfica who equalised when they were under pressure.
Another Brazilian, Ana Vitoria, played a one-two on the edge of the box with the ever dangerous Lacasse before moving inside and beating Esson with a low shot into the corner.
Benfica's Spanish captain Pauleta nearly but Benfica ahead early in the second half, the midfielder striding purposefully forward before unleashing a powerful low shot which Esson did well to tip round the post. Rangers survived the corner, just, but the visitors went behind for the first time twelve minutes into the half. Vitoria was again the scorer, taking a touch from Andreia Norton and firing a powerful shot into the top corner.
The Brazilian enjoyed a prolonged celebration with her coach Filipa Patao and the substitutes on the touchline, but the game had barely restarted when Rangers equalised. Nicola Docherty sent a fine ball into the path of McCoy and the striker lashed the ball home for her second of the night.
Rangers went behind again twelve minutes from the end. A Pauleta shot from a corner took a high loop into the air off Martinez and referee Martincic decided Esson had taken the ball over the line in her second attempt to catch it.
