By Korede James
Super Eagles of Nigeria stars Cyriel Dessers and Leon Balogun were in action for Rangers as the Scottish side secured a 3-2 penalty shootout win over Fenerbahce in the second leg of their round of 16 UEFA Europa League tie at Ibrox on Thursday night.
Nigeria right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel was in Fenerbahce’s starting line-up after missing the first leg due to suspension.
Fenerbahce went into the contest trailing 3-1 from the first leg in Turkey, but a brace from Sebastian Szymanski sealed a 2-0 win for Jose Mourinho’s side, which ended the fixture at 3-3 on aggregate, before Rangers won on penalties.
At Old Trafford also on Thursday night, Manchester United hammered Real Sociedad 4-1 thanks to a hat-trick by Bruno Fernandes.
The Red Devils, whose other goal was scored by Diogo Dalot, went through 5-2 on aggregate.
Lyon recorded a 7-1 aggregate victory over FCSB after winning 4-0 in the second leg, while Tottenham Hotspur came out tops 3-1 at home with an aggregate scoreline of 3-2 over AZ Alkmaar.
Earlier on Thursday, Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi made an assist in Viktoria Plzen’s 1-1 draw away to Lazio as the Italians earned a 3-2 aggregate win.
Eintracht Frankfurt, Athletic Bilbao and Bodo/Glimt also advanced to the quarter-finals at the expense of Ajax, Roma and Olympiacos respectively.
RESULTS
Rangers 0-2 Fenerbahce (3-3 aggregate/ 3-2 penalties)
Manchester United 4-1 Sociedad (5-2 aggregate)
Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (3-2 aggregate)
Lazio 1-1 Viktoria Plzen (3-2 aggregate)
Athletic Bilbao 3-1 Roma (4-3 aggregate)
Frankfurt 4-1 Ajax (6-2 aggregate)
Lyon 4-0 FCSB (7-1 aggregate)
Olympiacos 2-1 Bodo/Glimt (2-4 aggregate)
