Rangers pundits go tonto at 3 moments that cost them as Ibrox defence 'exposed' by ruthless Benfica

Streetwisdom and knowhow was the difference for Benfica on Thursday night as they downed a Rangers team who came away from the Europa League tie kicking themselves.

The Road to Dublin ended early for Philippe Clement and his team with Rafa Silva's goal the decider at Ibrox after they led twice in Lisbon last week but failed to come away with the win. The boss expressed his pride at their performance going toe to toe with a team whose budget Rangers can only dream of, but when the pundits sunk their teeth into it, the verdict on their display wasn't as sympathetic.

On Discovery+, Don Hutchison questioned their inability to kill the tie off when they led twice in Lisbon. And he also reckons their defensive naivety was 'exposed' by Benfica. He said: "I think you can tell from Jack Butland's interview after the game, they were scarred going into it from what happened last week. An own goal, they were up twice in the game, a questionable penalty. But you've got to park that to one side.

"They didn't really do enough. It was tight and Rangers started well, but they were very open for a European game at this level. The goal, it looked like Rafa Silva had gone early, but when you see it back, he's in his own half, which is in his favour. He's got pace and quality, but then Rangers are chasing the game.

"When you go up once in a European tie, make sure you stay up. When you go up twice, you need to make sure you see the game through and come back with a win. When you play a good European team, you've got to pick your time, take your chances, and be defensively solid. If you look back at the goal, Rangers emptied so many bodies at the top end of the pitch and left themselves exposed. Those are the fine margins."

And Julien Laurent