In a disappointing turn of events, Rangers were eliminated from the Champions League with a 2-0 loss to Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round’s second leg. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce also faced elimination at the hands of Lille.
The hosts, Rangers, were dealt a harsh blow when defender Jefte received a second yellow card, reducing them to 10 men. Dynamo took advantage, scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes through substitutes Oleksandr Pikhalonok and Nazar Voloshyn.
Rangers’ coach, Philippe Clement, expressed his frustration with the referee’s decision, stating, “It’s hard for my team. They don’t deserve this after these two games versus Dynamo Kyiv. One person with one decision made a really big change for us.” He added, “It’s the second time in my career of over 30 years that something unjust has happened. We can only accept it and move forward towards the league and the Europa League.”
Clement acknowledged the financial implications of the defeat, emphasizing the challenges it poses for the club’s future transfers and rebuilding efforts.
On the other hand, Dynamo Kyiv advanced with a 3-1 aggregate score and will face Salzburg in the upcoming play-off tie. Lille secured their spot in the next round with a 3-2 aggregate win over Fenerbahce, adding to Mourinho’s disappointing start with the Turkish club.
Several other teams also progressed to the next stage of the tournament, setting the stage for exciting matchups and intense competition as the Champions League progresses.