Rocking Rangers bank Europa League bonanza AND golden ticket as they knock Betis out cold – 5 talking points

They couldn't do it again, could they? Final talk is premature but Rangers recaptured the Europa League magic to book their spot in the last 16 after a 3-2 win over Real Betis.

In a group that changed leaders several times over the course of 90 minutes, it was Philippe Clement's side who hit the top when it mattered to set up more knockout football at Ibrox that has fans dreaming of another epic run in the city where the last one ended.

The visitors got off to the perfect start and it was that man Abdallah Sima again. James Tavernier fed Ross McCausland on the right and he picked out Cyriel Dessers. The striker got a little lucky in that his touch fell for Sima by accident rather than design, but the Senegalese did the rest to fire Rangers in front. The lead lasted just three-and-a-half minutes. Juan Miranda burst forward from left back and after some excellent link up play between Isco and Iglesias, the defender smashed the ball low past Jack Butland into the far corner.

They had Butland to thank for keeping it level as Betis cranked up the pressure. He had to turn Hector Bellerin's powerful effort over the near post when it was heading for the roof of the net before Andres Guardado rattled the bar. Just when it looked like they might cave, Rangers retook the lead. Cifuentes released Dessers and the Nigerian showed a so far unseens composure, cutting inside to put the defender on his backside before slotting through Rui Silva's legs.

And end-to-end first half raged on and both sides looked like scoring whenever they went forward. It was Betis who landed the next blow, Isco twisting and turning before teeing up Ayoze Perez and he guided a fine effort past Butland and into the far corner. With Sparta Prague winning