Super Eagles star Cyriel Dessers emerged as the star of the day for Rangers, snatching a dramatic late equaliser to salvage a well-deserved draw against Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie.
The Nigerian international scored with a 94th-minute strike to make sure Rangers played out a 1-1 draw with their hosts at the Arena Lublin on Tuesday evening, Footballrover reports.
The Ukrainian outfit dominated possession and had their first goal to show for it thanks tp Andriy Yarmolenko, who broke the deadlock for them in the 38th minute.
FULL-TIME: Dynamo Kyiv 1-1 Rangers | #UCL
Cyriel Dessers' 94th min goal sends us back to Scotland for the second-leg all level in the tie. pic.twitter.com/JXLWQ9j5I3
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 6, 2024
The goal sent the home side into the break with a slender advantage.
The second half was a much more open affair, with both sides creating numerous chances, but it wasn’t until deep into stoppage time that parity was restored.
Czech midfielder Vaclav Cerny played a crucial role in setting up Dessers, who fired home to rescue a draw for the Scottish giants.
🎯 Černý with the perfect assist into the path of Dessers. pic.twitter.com/DsXmYOw6GV
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 6, 2024
Despite the late drama, Dynamo Kyiv enjoyed more of the ball, registering nine attempts with five on target. Rangers, however, proved more clinical, managing 12 attempts with seven on goal.
Cyriel Dessers wasn’t the only Nigerian to feature for Rangers in the Champions League qualifiers.
His countryman Leon Balogun also played the entire game for Rangers, who will now turn their attention to a Scottish Premiership clash with Motherwell on Saturday before hosting Dynamo Kyiv for the second leg next Tuesday at Hampden Park.
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