Sporting Braga 1-0 Rangers: Abel Ruiz’s strike leaves Ibrox side trailing in quarter-final

The pilgrimage to the Municipal Stadium in Braga was done in hope and expectation for all who made the journey.

Just two years ago, Rangers triumphed in the hills en route to the last 16. Over 10,000 followed the Scottish champions back here again, the blow of Sunday’s Old Firm defeat doing little to dilute their spirits as they made the trip to Monte Castro on an overcast and gloomy night.

The uphill climb back to the city centre after the game would be symbolic for the challenge their team face after an enthralling quarter-final first leg.

Braga, who defeated Monaco and FC Sheriff to get this far, swarmed over a Rangers side who at times toiled without the focal point of the injured Alfredo Morelos.

There was a sense of pageantry at the start. Pyrotechnics illuminated sections of the away support, the smoke dissipating enough to see a giant fan display beneath them from the locals.

The hills were alive with the sound of a bumper home crowd clapping in unison, their appetite whetted for another barnstorming performance. They weren’t disappointed.

Rangers, though, started brightly. Ryan Kent and Fashion Sakala had half chances in quick succession, with the former slaloming by a clutch of defenders five minutes later. But the hosts would soon find their groove.

The warning shots came in waves. Every time Braga crossed halfway a ripple of applause followed them in anticipation. And on 25 minutes a collective gasp rose into the Portuguese sky as the hosts’ top scorer Ricardo Horta slashed a low shot off Allan McGregor’s left-hand post.

Then came let-off number two. Andre Horta thought he had scored as his deflected shot rippled the net, triggering bedlam in the stands. The party had just about stopped when referee Davide Massa trotted to the VAR monitor to rule Ryan Jack had been fouled in the build-up.

Still, a youthful Braga continued to come as the Rangers support attempted to rouse their side from the gods. Kent burst forward on the break but was eventually snuffed out, while Sakala lashed an uncontrolled shot well over the bar when a clear and rare sight of goal had creaked open.

But on 39 minutes, the hosts took the lead their perseverance and play deserved.

Leon Balogun failed to clear as Iuri Medeiros cushioned the ball to Ruiz. The former Barcelona man took one measured touch before sending the ball thundering past the helpless McGregor.

Van Bronckhorst wasted no time heading down the tunnel, but the break did little to put off the hosts being roared on from the raucous stands.

McGregor wasn’t tested all too often, but Carlos Carvalhal’s Braga pressed high and smothered any attempt to cleave them open.

Kemar Roofe, Joe Aribo and Borna Barisic were introduced in a bold roll of the dice by Van Bronckhorst as Rangers pushed. A Connor Goldson header drifted wide of the far post from a corner when he should have done better, with the defender unable to get a toe to a dropping ball in injury time.

In the end Ruiz’s goal was the difference, but the hosts, who defeated Benfica last week, will feel buoyed for their trip to Glasgow next week as Rangers dig deep.