Hopes for Rangers to progress in the Champions League were dashed following a quick double score by Dynamo Kyiv, taking the victory at Hampden Park. Following an initial game that ended with a 1-1 draw, Jefté’s disputed red card during the second half gave the away team the advantage. Consequently, Oleksandr Pikhalyonok and Nazar Voloshyn’s goals in the second half secured their 2-0 win, advancing them 3-1 on aggregate.
Despite a guarded first half, Ross McCausland managed to challenge Kyiv’s goalkeeper, Georgiy Bushchan, only for the ball to be safely moved away. Jefté was given a yellow card due to foul play. The Brazilian received a critical second yellow card due to clashing with Oleksandr Karavaiev in mid-air, just 51 minutes in.
Despite the red card causing a morale dip, the host team, currently playing at Hampden due to Ibrox undergoing improvements, retaliated impressively with striker Cyriel Dessers narrowly missing a goal, blocked by a defender. Nevertheless, the match was in Dynamo Kyiv’s favour and they seized their opportunity to make the first strike in the 82nd minute Vía Pikhalyonok beating goalkeeper Jack Butland from the penalty area’s limit. With little time to bounce back, Voloshyn sealed the deal with another goal just two minutes later.
The rangers’ head coach, Philippe Clement, was visibly irate at Jefté’s red card after the game ended, taking it up with referee Marco Guida on the pitch.
Moreover, Kyiv moves forward to face Red Bull Salzburg in the final playoff round of the League Path, while Rangers will compete in the Europa League playoffs.