Heartbreak for Mourinho as Dessers' Rangers edge Fenerbahce in shootout thriller

Cyriel Dessers and Rangers booked their spot in the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce at Ibrox on Thursday night.

Despite a 2-0 defeat on the night that levelled the aggregate score at 3-3, goalkeeper Jack Butland’s heroics in the shootout sent the Glasgow side through, leaving Mourinho and his Turkish giants stunned.

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Rangers’ 3-1 first-leg victory in Istanbul had set the stage, but Fenerbahce roared back in Scotland. Sebastian Szymanski struck twice, first in the 12th minute after a defensive error, then again in the 79th with a sharp finish—wiping out Rangers’ lead.

The hosts, unable to recapture their counter-attacking spark from the first leg, watched their advantage evaporate as Fenerbahce’s intensity surged.

Super Eagles striker Dessers, decisive in Turkey with a goal and assist, was stifled by Mourinho’s tactics in the second leg.

Caged for 68 minutes before his substitution, Dessers couldn’t replicate his earlier magic, with Fenerbahce’s Milan Skriniar and Sofyan Amrabat neutralising his threat. Rangers’ attack faltered, pushing the tie to penalties.

Butland rose to the occasion in the shootout, denying Dusan Tadic and Fred with stunning saves. Rangers’ James Tavernier and Vaclav Cerny stayed cool, securing a 3-2 victory on spot-kicks.

Butland’s performance, following six saves in the first leg, cemented his status as the night’s hero.

Mourinho and Fenerbahce’s Europa League dream comes to an end, shifting their focus to domestic battles.

For Rangers, under interim boss Barry Ferguson, this win marked a second straight European victory, their first such run since 2021.

Rangers now face Athletic Bilbao in the quarterfinals, keeping their European hopes alive.