Rangers drew 1-1 with 10-man Braga in a controversial Europa League clash, with a VAR-influenced red card for a headbutt on Nicolas Raskin taking centre stage globally.
Rangers secured their first point of the Europa League campaign against Braga, but the 1-1 draw was not without controversy, attracting significant reaction across the globe, according to a report from the Daily Record.
Captain James Tavernier put Danny Rohl’s side ahead from the penalty spot right on half-time after Fabio Navarro was judged to have handled the ball.
The Light Blues received another boost when Braga’s Uruguayan star, Rodrigo Zalazar, was sent off for an off-the-ball headbutt on Nico Raskin.
The sending-off, confirmed by VAR, sparked fury, particularly in Portugal. A Bola (Portugal) described the incident, saying Zalazar’s “forehead bumped into Raskin who tumbled like a baby.
VAR intervened again, and the Dutch referee changed the yellow card to a red. Another harsh blow.”
Despite playing with a man advantage from the hour mark, a mistake from Nasser Djiga, who “panicked under a swirling wind,” allowed Gabri Martinez to fire home the equaliser.
Rangers also finished the game a man light as Mohamed Diomande received his second league phase red card in stoppage time.
L’Equipe (France) noted that Rangers “couldn’t prevent Gabri Martinez’s equaliser” and that the draw meant Nice suffered “the indignity of going bottom of the league phase table” after securing a precious point.