Rangers 3-1 RB Leipzig (3-2 agg): Late Lundstram strike takes Glasgow giants to Europa League final

John Lundstram’s late strike saw Rangers through to the Europa League final as they roared back at Ibrox to beat RB Leipzig 3-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, first-half goals from James Tavernier and Glen Kamara turned the tie in favour of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.

Leipzig, who were seeking their first European final appearance, levelled on aggregate when Christopher Nkunku neatly volleyed home in the 70th minute.

However, Lundstram popped up 10 minutes from time to snatch a dramatic winner for the hosts, who will play Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville on May 18.

2008 – Rangers are the first Scottish club to reach the final of a major European competition since Rangers themselves in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup. They have reached five such finals, as many as every other Scottish side combined. Famous. pic.twitter.com/00G2MD3iyW

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 5, 2022

Aiming to become only the fifth side to overturn a first-leg semi-final defeat and progress to the Europa League showpiece, Rangers levelled the tie in the 18th minute.

Kamara released Ryan Kent down the flank and the winger drilled the ball across the face of goal, with Tavernier applying the finishing touch at the far post.

The hosts turned the tie on its head just six minutes later, with Scott Wright teeing up Kamara, who brilliantly stroked the ball into the far corner from 20 yards.

Joe Aribo squandered a glorious opportunity to make it 3-0 on the night soon after, failing to turn home from six yards after Tavernier cushioned Borna Barisic’s deep cross into his path.

Leipzig grew into the contest during the second half and levelled the tie with 19 minutes remaining. Moments after Allan McGregor did brilliantly to deny Konrad Laimer, Nkunku drifted to the near post to volley home from Angelino’s centre.

Yet Rangers sealed their progress to Seville after a winner 10 minutes from time, Lundstram reacting quickest to finish after Kent’s deep cross was headed off the line by Josko Gvardiol.

What does it mean? Rangers through in grand style

Rangers have reached their first European final since taking on Zenit in the UEFA Cup showpiece 14 years ago in Manchester.

The Scottish giants also maintained their impressive record in European semi-finals, having now prevailed in five of their six most recent last-four ties on the continent.

Lundstram the hero

Lundstram was in the right place at the right time to send Rangers to Seville. It capped an impressive performance from the midfielder, who gained possession more times than any other player at Ibrox on Thursday (12 times).

Only Willi Orban (eight) was involved in more aerial duels than Lundstram (six), while only Connor Goldson (32) bettered his 30 completed passes for the hosts.

Nkunku hits 11 in Europe

He may have been on the losing side, but Nkunku continued his impressive form on the continent this season. The Leipzig striker took his tally for the campaign to 11 goals with a brilliant near-post volley that levelled the tie.

Only Karim Benzema (16) and Robert Lewandowski (13) have managed to better that tally in European competition this term.

What’s next?

Rangers will play Eintracht Frankfurt in the final in Seville. Before that, they look to keep their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive against Dundee United on Sunday. On the same day, Leipzig host Augsburg in the Bundesliga.