It was a tie that always promised drama and on a rainy night at Ibrox, Rangers and PSV delivered.
Their Champions League playoff tie now hangs tantalisingly in the balance following a 2-2 draw that could easily have gone either way. Ibrahim Sangare gave the Eredivisie leaders a first-half advantage but it was cancelled out almost immediately by the in-form Antonio Colak as he took his tally to four in four games.
PSV keeper Walter Benitez then dropped a clanger in allowing Tom Lawrence's 30-yard free-kick out of his grasp and over the line to put Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side ahead. A crucial victory beckoned for last season's Europa League finalists but a poorly defended set-piece then allowed Armando Obispo to level matters just 12 minutes from full-time. The teams will do it all over again in a week's time in Eindhoven, with the tie now essentially a 90 minute (or more) shootout for the prize of a place at the continent's top table - and the coveted cash boost that comes with it.
The enthralling first leg was the pick of the playoff ties on Tuesday night and caught the attention of the world's media. Verdicts in the Netherlands admitted PSV survived a "Scottish storm" but the prevailing opinion appears to be there's now a clear favourite to progress to the group stage. Here's a selection of the best reaction from around the globe.
L'Equipe (France)
"Under the rain of a noisy Ibrox Park, PSV Eindhoven had a good draw against Glasgow Rangers (2-2) on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League. The former Toulousain Sangaré opened the scoring for the Dutch, on a second ball after a corner (37th). A short-lived advantage: rookie Colak, preferred to Morelos, equalised three minutes later after a magnificent collective action with a touch of the ball. Pushed by their public, the Scots took the advantage in the 70th thanks to a blunder from Benitez (ex-Nice) on a distant free kick from Lawrence. Full of energy, thanks in particular to Gakpo, PSV equalised in the 77th minute on a header from Obispo.
"A nice reward for the men of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who had great pleasure in meeting his former teammate in the selection, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, coach of the Rangers. The second leg is scheduled for August 24, at the hot Philips Stadion. The Scots will have to be very strong if they want to return to the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2010."
Marca (Spain)
"PSV opened the scoring when they didn't deserve it, with Rangers having the best chances and dominating the ball, but a badly rejected corner ended at the feet of Sangaré , who made it 0-1. A joy that lasted very little for PSV, because practically in the next play, Colak scored a great goal after a play initiated by Tavernier from the right that combined with Lawrence and the ball reached the Croatian striker at the penalty spot that put it impossible for the visiting goalkeeper.
"Already in the second half, the Dutch team rotated and began to dominate the tempo of the clash. Saibali had several chances, but the scoreboard did not move until Benítez's mistake came , that in a distant shot by Lawrence from a direct free kick (about 25 meters away) he could not keep the ball and ended up crossing the goal line .
"However, PSV quickly recovered from the setback , when Armando Obispo forcefully finished off a corner taken by Gakpo and sent the ball to the local left squad to return the tables to the electronic. PSV had one last, but Max let slip a great pass from Guti that left him alone in front of the goalkeeper, but he crashed it into McLaughlin to leave everything open in the Eindhoven return."
NOS (Netherlands)
"PSV narrowly avoided a painful defeat on a visit to Rangers FC. Armando Obispo ensured with a header goal in the final phase that a major blunder by keeper Walter Benítez had limited damage: 2-2.
"For example, next week in Eindhoven, PSV will have enough of a small victory to reach the Champions League for the first time since the 2018/2019 season. In any case, given the picture of the game in Glasgow, there is no reason to despair."
BN De Stem (Netherlands)
"It was a piece of unadulterated Scottish football passion that PSV ended up in at Ibrox. And that was certainly not easy for the team of Ruud van Nistelrooy before half-time, who had warned about the typical British atmosphere. Well, the Rangers fans went the extra mile and proved once again that they can lift their squad.
"Then the Scottish storm started, PSV pulled out all kinds of tricks to get the pace out. That initially had the desired effect, Rangers didn't get too many chances and PSV even took the lead.
From a corner the ball fell into the mix, Jordan Teze played back cleverly and Ibrahim Sangaré was able to score. And so it became 0-1 against the proportions."
****
"The crowd enjoyed themselves and Rangers went on the hunt for the 3-2 again, but PSV was spared that misery. Next week, the spectators in the Philips Stadium will have to wear the Van Nistelrooy team like the Scottish supporters did in Glasgow, to create something extra. Last week, that also made a big difference for PSV against AS Monaco. In pure football, Rangers is certainly no better than the Monegasques, but the team is just as fit and continues to run and fly to make it difficult for the opponent.
"A key for PSV must be the game at the ball, which clearly improved after the break. This relieved the pressure from Rangers and there is every chance of becoming the second Dutch club in the main tournament of the Champions League next week."
The Guardian (London)
"Whether Rangers make a long-awaited return to the Champions League, or drop into the familiar surroundings of the Europa League, still hangs in the balance.
Against PSV, Rangers rode their luck, a goalkeeping disaster by Walter Benítez from Tom Lawrence’s free-kick gifting them their second goal, though there were flashes of the chaotic momentum that carried them to last season’s Europa League final. Next Wednesday in Eindhoven will be a familiar test of nerve."
Il Sussidiario (Italy)
"The curtain falls at the Ibrox Stadium with the teams returning to the locker room on a 2-2 pyrotechnic that has nothing to do with the first twenty minutes of the match that are quite soporific. To have the illusion of having brought home the result were the Rangers with the goal of their half wing: Lawrence throws a free kick that is not too poisonous but goalkeeper Benitez is surprised.
"The player, however, will be able to sleep peacefully, because after ten minutes here comes the draw of Obispo who does not waste the chocolate served by Gakpo on the developments of a corner kick. The two teams postpone everything to the return that will be played on Wednesday in Eindhoven where PSV takes the lead playing at home but never give up on the Scots who will surely play with a knife between their teeth."
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