Rangers' Europa League opponents RB Leipzig suffered two late gut punches as Union Berlin snatched a win from the jaws of defeat.
But the 2-1 home loss was completely deserved as a tepid display proved Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men can get another magical result in Germany if their opponents have an off night.
With a scrap on for the Bundesliga's Champions League places there was no room for rotation in a re-run of the DFB-Pokal semi-final in midweek, which saw Leipzig progress 2-1 through Emil Forsberg's added-time winner.
The big hitters – 30-goal Christopher Nkunku among them – were out in force.
Domenico Tedesco looked to overcome a tough Berlin side that have continued their rise this term and have asserted their place as the capital's dominant footballing force.
After 45 minutes the home side registered zero shots, and it wasn't exactly going to plan for Leipzig.
Tedesco's words at half-time clearly had an impact though as Yussuf Poulsen got to a second ball in the Union penalty area and smashed home 28 seconds after the restart.
Incredibly, that ended up Leipzig's only effort on target of the entire game.
But they looked like getting the win over the line despite Union rattling the woodwork and being denied a penalty in a very debatable VAR decision.
Then suddenly, on the 86th minute, things took a shocking turn.
First it was Sven Michel who headed home from Sheraldo Becker's cross having been on the park for only 21 seconds.
And then it was Kevin Behrens who struck the winner in the 89th minute, set up by Michel's excellent back heel to spark delirious scenes as Union got revenge for their cup exit.
The Europa League first leg takes place at the Red Bull Arena on Thursday with the return at Ibrox a week later.
