Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce managed to cage the overlooked Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers but ultimately lost to Rangers on penalties to crash out of the UEL.
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.
 "Heartbreak for Mourinho as Dessers' Rangers edge Fenerbahce in shootout thriller 1")
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 "Heartbreak for Mourinho as Dessers' Rangers edge Fenerbahce in shootout thriller 2")
Super Eagles ace warned his teammates to remain focused against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce ahead of the second-leg of their Europa League clash at Ibrox.
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.
Dessers was caged for 68 minutes at home.
Super Eagles striker Dessers, pivotal in Turkey with a goal and assist, was stifled by Mourinho’s tactics.
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.
End of the road for Mourinho
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (Credit: Imago)
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 4-2 victory on spot-kicks.
Butland’s performance, following six saves in the first leg, cemented his status as the night’s hero.
Fenerbahce crash out.
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.
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