Rangers 1 – 3 Ajax

Rangers lost 1-3 to Ajax in the final group game, recording their worst season in Champions League history.

Rangers needed a five-goal swing to put Ajax in third place, but they knew losing by two goals would leave them with the worst tag in Europe.

Goals from Steven Bergis, Mohamed Kudus and Francisco Conceicao extended the Ibrox player’s sixth straight defeat. James He could not prevent a Tavernier penalty from recording a minus 20 goal difference.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team was the first Scottish team to lose all group matches in a top European competition, with Ajax finishing third and qualifying for the knockout stage of the Europa League.

How the Rangers ended a disastrous campaign with an unwanted record

For van Bronckhorst, putting the team together was a challenge in itself. He was suspended by midfielder John his Lundstram and nine of his players were injured in the weekend’s match against Aberdeen, including defenders Ben his Davis and Ridvan his Ilmaz.

Left-back Borna Barisic was replaced by veteran midfielders Steve Davis and Scott Arfield.

Former Gels defender Calvin Bassey has been in a strong Ajax side, taking the lead early and dampening early optimism at home.

In the 4th minute, Kudus set up Bergis to beat Gyor goalkeeper Alan McGregor from the edge of the box to stop a deft attack on the left flank.

Already looking ominous for the Rangers – McGregor had to backtrack to grab Berhais’s lob from under the crossbar – but the underpowered home side eventually calmed down and started looking for a leveler. .

In the 13th minute, winger Ryan Kent delivered a cross from the left before the covering Vassey headed Fashion Sakara off the line.

However, another lack of concentration allowed Ajax to extend their lead. This time, Kudus provider Owen Windal beat McGregor with a shot off teenage defender Leon King.

A few minutes later the keeper made an excellent save from Steven Bergwijn and shortly afterwards the first boos came from the stands when Kudus shot just outside the far post.

There was a quieter boo as the halftime whistle blew, but there was little comeback as the fans tried to get to their feet at the start of the second half.

Kudus put the ball into the net after a sweep in the 55th minute, but Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg ruled it out for offside after a VAR check.

Just before the hour mark, Glenn Kamara, Alfredo Morelos and Scott Wright came on for Davis, Antonio Kollak and Malik Tillman, but Ajax, aided by loud and boisterous traveling support, lost control. maintained.

In the 70th minute, Arfield’s superb shot on the turn was tipped over the bar by underemployed Ajax keeper Remko Pasbia, but the corner was saved.

In the 84th minute, Morelos took advantage of a mistake by Pazbia, but the goal was wide open and he was unable to score.

Moments later, Rangers substitute Rabbi Matondo replaced Kent and was knocked down by Edson Alvarez in the box, with Tavernier firing on a penalty..

But Conceicao was only on the pitch for a minute, but when he fired a shot from close range, referee Nyberg immediately whistled to end a historic campaign for the Glaswegian club for all the wrong reasons. I told you.

what the manager said

Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants his players to learn from a tough campaign.

“We know there is a gap, but we don’t want to concede too many goals.

“When you see how many games we’ve conceded this season, especially at home against Liverpool, we struggled in those moments and it’s a big learning experience for us.”

what’s next?

Sunday, November 6, 11:00 am

12pm kick off

Rangers have three more Scottish Premiership games before the World Cup. They travel to St. Johnstone on Sunday to broadcast live on Sky Sports. 12 noon kick off. After that, the Rangers will face Hearts on Wednesday, November 9th. Kick off at 7:45pm.

The final pre-tournament game travels to St. Mirren on Saturday, November 12th and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. 12:30pm kick off.

Ajax also have three Eredivisie fixtures ahead of the World Cup against PSV Eindhoven, Vitesse Arnhem and Emmen.