By Korede James
Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers was on target and also provided an assist to inspire Rangers to a shock 3-1 victory over Fenerbahce in their UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg clash in Turkey on Thursday.
The Nigeria international now has three goals and two assists in nine Europa League matches this campaign.
Also, this season Dessers has so far registered 19 goals and five assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
Also in action for Rangers was Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun who came on in the 28th minute, while Bright Osayi-Samuel was not in Fenerbahce’s squad.
Dessers opened the scoring for Rangers in the sixth minute, but Ghana international Alexander Djiku equalised for Fenerbahce on 30 minutes.
With three minutes left in the first half, Dessers set up Vaclav Cerny to put Rangers 2-1 up.
Cerny grabbed his second goal and Rangers’ third of the night off a breakaway nine minutes from time.
In Spain, Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad.
United took the lead in the 57th minute thanks to Joshua Zirkzee, but with 20 minutes left on the clock Real Sociedad were back on level terms through a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty controversially awarded for a Bruno Fernandes handball.
In other round of 16 first leg early kick-offs, AZ Alkmaar pipped Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 and Lyon won 3-1 at FCSB 3-1.
The return legs are scheduled for next Thursday.
RESULTS
Fenerbahce 1-3 Rangers
Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United
FCSB 1-3 Lyon
AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
