Cyriel Dessers delivered a standout performance as Rangers secured a commanding 3-1 away victory over Fenerbahçe in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 clash.
The Nigerian forward played a pivotal role, scoring the opening goal and providing an assist to put the Scottish side in a strong position ahead of the return leg.
Dessers leads the charge
Rangers wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Dessers finding the net in just the sixth minute to give his side an early lead at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
However, Fenerbahçe responded in the 30th minute through Ghanaian defender Alexander Djiku, who capitalized on a set-piece to bring the hosts level.
Undeterred by the setback, Dessers continued to influence the game and played a crucial role in restoring Rangers’ lead just before half-time.
The 29-year-old set up Czech international Vaclav Černý, who finished clinically to make it 2-1.
Černý later sealed the victory with his second goal in the 81st minute, ensuring Rangers returned to Scotland with a two-goal advantage.
Nigerian presence in European action
Leon Balogun, another Nigerian international, was introduced in the 28th minute for Rangers, helping to solidify the defence.
Meanwhile, Bright Osayi-Samuel was absent from the Fenerbahçe squad, missing the chance to feature in the encounter.
Dessers’ latest contribution takes his Europa League tally this season to three goals and two assists in nine appearances.
Across all competitions, he has now registered 19 goals and five assists in 41 matches, reinforcing his importance to the Scottish club.
Elsewhere in the Europa League
The evening saw several other notable fixtures across Europe.
In Spain, Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad.
Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee gave United the lead in the 57th minute, but Sociedad equalized 20 minutes later through a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty.
AZ Alkmaar pulled off a surprise 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, dealing a setback to the Premier League side.
Meanwhile, Lyon secured a convincing 3-1 away win against Romanian club FCSB, strengthening their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.
With the return leg at Ibrox still to come, Rangers will look to build on their impressive first-leg performance and secure a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
