Sima and Matondo netted for the hosts, and Sangare for the guests (©Getty images sport/Gallo images)
Sima and Matondo netted for the hosts, and Sangare for the guests (©Getty images sport/Gallo images)

African trio shines as Rangers and PSV share spoils in the spectacular UCL playoffs clash

Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 23.08.23. | 00:18

Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo score for the hosts, while Ibrahim Sangare bags a beauty for the visitors in a thrilling first-leg 2-2 draw

What a spectacular Champions League night at Ibrox that was!

After 90 minutes of thrilling football and more than a dozen clear-cut chances on both sides, Glasgow Rangers and PSV Eindhoven shared spoils (2-2) in the UCL playoffs first leg played on Wednesday night in Scotland.

Moreover, the most valuable players of this outstanding match were three African footballers - Rangers' Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo, along with PSV's Ibrahim Sangare.

The 22-year-old Senegalese forward Sima nailed a belter to break the deadlock in the dying minutes of the first half, following the assist of Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers.

The Dutch slot responded shortly after the break, through Ivorian holding midfielder Sangare, whose powerful strike was out of reach for the home keeper.

The Scotts restored the lead with 14 minutes left on the clock, as Matondo - a 22-year-old winger of Congolese origins - superbly finished his side's counter-attack.

However, that was still far from over, with veteran and former Barcelona striker Luuk de Jong making it 2-2 just four minutes later to put the cherry on top of this incredible battle.

The return leg, scheduled for the next week in the Netherlands, will be such a pleasure to watch. There can be only (one of those in the Champions League group stage).



tags

UEFA Champions LeagueGlasgow RangersPSV EindhovenRabbi MatondoIbrahim SangareAbdallah SimaCyriel Dessers

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