Despite suffering their first-ever home defeat to Turkish opposition with a 2-0 loss to Fenerbahce at Ibrox, Rangers secured their spot in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals by triumphing in the penalty shootout.
Their first-leg victory in Istanbul had provided a crucial cushion, but they still had a job to finish in Glasgow.
Determined to avoid any late drama, Rangers began on the front foot, nearly striking early when Nicolas Raskin teed up Vaclav Cerny in a prime position. However, the unmarked winger failed to adjust his footing in time, allowing the chance to go begging.
Midway through the first half, the home side endured a tense moment when Talisca went down right on the edge of the box following a challenge from Jefte.
Although contact seemed apparent, referee Espen Eskas judged the Fenerbahce forward to have simulated and brandished a yellow card.
Cerny remained a constant threat, once again carving out space on the edge of the area before firing a shot that rippled the side netting.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce had struggled to create much, but they found a breakthrough on the cusp of halftime.
Filip Kostic made a surging run down the left and sent in a deflected cross that fell kindly for Sebastian Szymanski.
The midfielder struck a sublime volley beyond the reach of Jack Butland, cutting Rangers’ aggregate lead in half and setting up a tense second period.
As expected, the second half saw Rangers pinned back, with Fenerbahce pushing for an equalizer. However, apart from a wayward effort from Talisca before the hour mark, the visitors struggled to turn their possession into genuine chances.
After weathering the initial pressure, Rangers found a foothold again and nearly restored their two-goal aggregate lead. A swift counterattack ended with Hamza Igamane forcing Irfan Can Egribayat into a crucial diving save to push his shot around the post.
That stop proved even more significant minutes later, as Fenerbahce finally leveled the tie. Mert Muldur’s low cut-back found Szymanski at the near post, and the Polish midfielder made no mistake, striking past Butland to make it 3-3 on aggregate.
Both teams searched desperately for a late winner, but with neither side able to find a breakthrough, extra time loomed.
Rangers continued to look most dangerous when Cerny was on the ball, and in the 100th minute, he forced Egribayat into an outstanding one-handed save to keep out a curling left-footed effort.
The hosts kept pressing, but their best opportunity came from a James Tavernier free-kick, only for Egribayat to again come to Fenerbahce’s rescue.
With no separating the sides, the match headed to penalties, where a two-legged clash with Athletic Club awaited the winner. Ibrox erupted when Dusan Tadic missed the opening spot-kick, setting the tone for a dramatic shootout.
Jack Butland further strengthened Rangers’ grip by saving another penalty, and when Hakan Yandas missed the decisive effort, Rangers sealed their passage to the quarter-finals, booking a trip to Bilbao.
