Rangers vs. Braga result: Kemar Roofe scores winner as Scottish champions progress to Europa League semi-finals

Jeorge Bird

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Rangers vs. Braga result: Kemar Roofe scores winner as Scottish champions progress to Europa League semi-finals image

Kemar Roofe scored the winner as Rangers overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Braga in extra-time and make it through to the semi-finals of the Europa League, where they will take on RB Leipzig.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Scottish champions got off to a superb start as James Tavernier opened the scoring after just 70 seconds after Borna Barisic's cross was flicked on by Joe Aribo.

Spurred on by a fervent atmosphere inside Ibrox, Rangers made it 2-0 on the night just before half-time as Tavernier netted from the spot. Braga were reduced to 10 men, with Vitor Tormena being sent off.

Roofe thought he had scored but his effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR check, but looked as if they had done enough to progress in normal time. That was until the closing stages when, despite their numerical disadvantage, Braga took the game to extra time through David Carmo's header.

Rangers were left hugely frustrated but remained full of determination and eventually went back in front, Roofe steering the ball into the back of the net following good work from Glen Kamara and Aribo.

Braga, to their credit, continued to battle bravely, but their hopes of forcing penalties effectively faded when they went down to nine men as Yuri Medeiros was given is marching orders.

It was an impressive display from Rangers, who had much energy throughout and have now reached their first European semi-final for 14 years.

Rangers vs. Braga result

  1H 2H 1H (ET) 2H (ET) Final
Rangers 2 2 3 3 3
Braga 0 1 1 1 1

Goals: 

RAN — Tavernier (Aribo) — 2nd min.

RAN — Tavernier (pen) — 44th min.

BRA — Carmo (Medeiros) — 83rd min.

RAN — Roofe (Aribo) — 101st min.

Here's Roofe's goal for those in the UK:

Here it is for those in the US:

Rangers vs. Braga as it happened: commentary and highlights

Full-time - Rangers 3-1 Braga (Rangers win 3-2 on aggregate): Rangers have done it, with Van Bronckhorst's team making it through to the semi-finals, where they will take on RB Leipzig.

Despite being 1-0 down from the first leg, Rangers showed great spirit at Ibrox, with Tavernier scoring twice. Carmo forced extra time but Braga, who finished the game with nine men, are out. 

116 mins: Despite being down to nine men, Braga are still continuing to work hard as they look to restrict the space for Rangers. Braga bring on Fale for Carmo.

113 mins: Braga want a penalty but Rangers get a free-kick instead.

110 mins: Another miss from Arfield, and he really should have scored this time as he hits the crossbar from close range. 

108 mins: Arfield misses a good chance after a move involving Sakala and Kent. 

There are several changes ahead of the second half of extra-time. Fashion Sakala and Scott Arfield are on for Rangers. Braga send on Jean-Baptiste Gorby. 

Half-time in extra time: Rangers now appear on the verge of progressing, with Braga down to nine men. The Ibrox atmosphere is incredible now.

104 mins - RED CARD - Braga are down to nine men following an unnecessary challenge from Medeiros.

GOAL - Rangers 3-1 Braga (Roofe) - Jubilant scenes at Ibrox as Roofe puts Rangers back in front after good work from Kamara and Aribo. Can Rangers see it through this time. 

98 mins: The game has settled into a pattern of Braga sitting back and inviting pressure from Rangers, who are finding it difficult to break them down. Lucas Mineiro replaces Masrati for Braga.

95 mins: Braga appear much more assured now, but the crowd is still urging Rangers forward as they look to make it through. Aribo gives away a foul for colliding with Matheus. Andre Horta, who was substituted earlier, is booked for complaining to the referee.

92 mins: Roofe, who is on a yellow card, gives away a foul as he catches Castro. Braga boss Carlos Carvalhal is booked for waving an imaginary yellow card. 

Extra time: We are underway in extra-time. The winners of this tie will take on RB Leipzig in the semi-finals. The other tie will see West Ham play Eintracht Frankfurt. 

End of 90 mins: Rangers 2-1 Braga (2-2 on aggregate) - The game will head to extra time. Rangers thought they had done enough against 10-man Braga with James Tavernier's brace, but Carmo's goal pulled the visitors level. 

90 mins: Rangers have a late corner as they look to go ahead on aggregate. However, Braga are able to deal with it. Goldson misses a late header after a cross from Kent. 

88 mins: Rangers are pushing forward as they look to go back ahead on aggregate, but Braga are defending well. Barisic, who played very well, goes off injured, with Leon Baogun coming on. There will be five added minutes.

84 mins: Roofe is booked for clattering into Matheus as he looked to make contact with the ball.

83 mins: GOAL - Rangers 2-1 Braga (Carmo) Hugely frustrating for Rangers as Braga pull level on aggregate with a header from Carmo following a corner. As things stand the game will be going to extra-time. Great spirit from Braga with ten men.

78 mins: Ramsey sends the ball over the line but a free-kick is given after the Welshman collided with Braga goalkeeper Matheus. That's Ramsey's final action as he's replaced by Glen Kamara. Ryan Jack is also off, with Scott Wright coming on. 

74 mins: Fabiano shoots well over for Braga. The Portuguese side haven't caused too many problems for Rangers so far, but the hosts won't be taking anything for granted.

71 mins: There are clashes between both sets of players after Goldson is caught by Vitor Oliveira. 

69 mins: Kemar Roofe puts the ball in the net with a lofted finish but the flag is raised for offside and the goal doesn't stand following a VAR check. 

67 mins: Rangers are battling bravely and seem confident of seeing this game through but there's still a while to go. Ramsey sends an effort into the side-netting.

63 mins: Goldson's effort strikes the post following a well-worked free-kick, but the flag is raised for offside anyway. 

59 mins: Roofe has an effort hacked away from close range and then Rangers have a penalty claim for handball turned down. 

Braga make a double change as Medeiros and Oliveira are on for Gomes and Ruiz.

56 mins: Bassey has played some impressive long balls for Rangers so far tonight. The hosts are looking for another goal to effectively make sure of progression, but they still have much work to do. 

49 mins: Rangers have started the second half in lively fashion. Aribo shoots wide but Ryan Kent feels that he should have been played in. 

46 mins: Braga have made a change at the start of the second half, with Francisco Moura on for Andre Horta.

Here's a look at Tavernier's second goal and the penalty incident for those in the UK:

Half time - Rangers 2-0 Braga: Rangers have been excellent in the first half, with a brace from Tavernier putting them in the ascendancy in the tie. Will they be able to see it through?

GOAL - Rangers 2-0 Braga (2-1 agg.) - Tavernier (pen.) - Rangers now have a two-goal lead on the night and, most importantly, are in front in the tie, with Tavernier sending the ball down the middle from the spot. 

PENALTY TO RANGERS - BRAGA RED CARD: Rangers get a penalty as Roofe is fouled by Vitor Tormena, with the Braga defender getting a red card. 

33 mins: Another chance not taken for Rangers as Tavernier's corner finds Aribo, whose header is off target. Rangers will hope that they don't end up regretting these missed opportunities. Roofe later drags a shot wide. Then Ramsey plays in a cross but Kent's header lacks conviction.

30 mins: An agonising moment for Rangers as Roofe hits the crossbar from close range after a corner is sent in. 

Here's a look at Tavernier's early goal for those in the UK.

Here's the goal for those in the US:

28 mins: Tavernier swings in an excellent ball in towards Roofe, but Braga defender Oliveira does well to cut out the danger. 

23 mins: A warning for Rangers as Ramsey gets caught in possession and Ricardo Horta shoots over for Braga.

19 mins: Aribo plays in Ramsey, who shoots over. This is shaping up for an intriguing contest now, with Braga starting to play with more confidence. 

14 mins: Joe Aribo has been very lively and he plays a ball in which just eludes Aaron Ramsey and falls to Roofe, whose effort goes off target. 

12 mins: Braga are coming into the game a bit more now and are looking to push Rangers back, but the Scottish side are defending well. 

8 mins: Despite that disallowed goal, Rangers appear full of confidence, spurred on by their superb supporters.

4 mins: Kemar Roofe thinks he's put Rangers ahead in the tie after heading in from Barisic's cross, but VAR disallows the goal because of a handball from Barisic. 

1 min: GOAL - Rangers 1-0 Braga (Tavernier) It's an incredible start for Rangers as James Tavernier scores after just 70 seconds to put Rangers ahead on the night and make it 1-1 on aggregate. Tavernier is there to stick the ball in the net after Barisic sent the ball in and it was flicked on by Aribo. 

Kick off: The game is underway. 

5 minutes from kick-off: The teams are in the tunnel, with kick-off approaching. It promises to be an eventful evening at Ibrox. 

15 minutes from kick-off: It will require a major effort for Rangers to prevail, but, with the Ibrox crowd behind them, they will certainly feel that it is possible. 

30 minutes from kick-off: This is a big night for Aaron Ramsey, who hasn't had a regular run of starts since joining Rangers on loan from Juventus. The experienced midfielder will be looking to help Rangers overturn their 1-0 deficit. 

Braga team: Matheus (GK) - Fabiano, Oliveira, Tormena, Carmo - A. Horta, Castro, Al Musrati - Ruiz, R. Horta, Gomes

Subs: Sa, Couto, Leite, Mineiro, Medeiros, Buta, Gorby, Moura, Couto, Rodrigues, Fale, Oliveira

Rangers team: 

90 minutes from kick-off: Braga manager Carlos Carvalhal, who was previously in charge of Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday, has stressed that his team will have an attacking approach for this game despite their 1-0 advantage.

2 hours from kick-off: There is set to be a fantastic atmosphere inside Ibrox tonight, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side aware they face a difficult task in attempting to get the better of Braga. 

Jeorge Bird