Rangers And Athletic Bilbao End Europa League Quarter-Final First Leg In 0-0 Stalemate

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Rangers and Athletic Bilbao played to a goalless draw in the Europa League quarter-final first leg at Ibrox. The match was marked by a dramatic sequence of events, including a penalty save by Liam Kelly. Alex Berenguer's penalty was stopped by Kelly, keeping the score level. Rangers played most of the game with ten men after Robin Propper's early red card.

In the 76th minute, Berenguer thought he had scored for Bilbao after a rebound from Kelly's save. However, VAR intervened, disallowing the goal due to a handball by Gorka Guruzeta. Moments later, Bilbao was awarded a penalty for Dujon Sterling's handball. Berenguer took the penalty but saw his shot saved by Kelly's outstretched leg.

Robin Propper's dismissal in the 13th minute left Rangers with ten players. Initially booked for a tackle on Inaki Williams, VAR prompted referee Istvan Kovacs to upgrade it to a red card. Despite being outnumbered, Rangers defended resolutely against Bilbao's pressure throughout the game.

Match Statistics and Key Performances

Bilbao dominated with 19 shots but only three were on target, generating an xG of 2.37 compared to Rangers' 0.14. This was Rangers' first European match without a shot on target since April 2022 against Sporting Braga. Kelly made three crucial saves, continuing Rangers' strong penalty-saving record in Europe.

The match concluded with Bilbao unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage despite intense pressure and extended injury time. With Sterling carried off late in the game, Rangers ended with nine players but held firm to keep the tie level heading into the second leg in Bilbao next week.