March 11, (THEWILL) – Leon Balogun was on the scoresheet as Rangers won 3-0 in the first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 encounter against Red Star Belgrade at Ibrox on Thursday.
Goals from James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and Balogun secured a significant win for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in a game dominated by early VAR decisions.
In a frantic first 25 minutes in Glasgow, the visitors conceded twice, had two goals called out for offside, and had a penalty saved by Allan McGregor.
Rangers took the lead on 10 minutes when a VAR review determined that Ryan Kent had been tripped in the box by Slavoljub Srnic, with Tavernier converting the penalty into the top-right corner of the net after slipping over.
Everything was going wrong for the visitors, as a second goal was disallowed for offside, before a ball from Ryan Jack from a short corner fell to Morelos, who hammered past Milan Borjan to give the Scottish champions a 2-0 lead.
A stunning first half continued when Red Star were granted a penalty on 23 minutes when Jack fouled Guelor Kanga in the box, but McGregor saved Katai’s penalty kick with a strong right hand.
After good work down the left from Nigerian international Calvin Bassey and Kent, Glen Kamara almost made it three before halftime, but the Finland midfielder lifted his effort just over the bar. However, it was three six minutes after the break when Balogun rose highest to plant a header past Borjan from an out-swinging Tavernier corner.
As Red Star looked for a way back into the game, Kanga hit the crossbar, substitute El Fardou Ben Nabouhane had a third goal ruled out for offside, while Connor Goldson missed a glorious chance at a fourth at the back post off a Tavernier free-kick.
Still, Rangers will be pleased with another impressive European win. On their part, Dejan Stankovic’s team will think they can turn things around next week at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where they have won three of their four Europa League home games this season, yet the have only won once by more than one goal.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
