'Antwerp need a miracle' - How Belgium's press reacted to Rangers' 4-3 Europa League win

Borna Barisic, Connor Goldson and Filip Helander of Rangers celebrate following the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Royal Antwerp FC and Rangers FC at Bosuilstadion on February 18, 2021 (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Rangers took the first leg spoils from a topsy-turvy seven-goal thriller – some say deserved, others said the Great Old didn’t deserve to lose.

‘Antwerp needs a miracle in Glasgow’ wrote Peter Goris in the local Gazet van Antwerpen, after “a very sour defeat”.

He summarised an enthralling encounter: "Flying from one emotion to another. From blunder to a handsome equalizer and even to a penalty kick that was given away. The result was an extremely entertaining football evening and an unimaginable goal-scoring festival, but unfortunately also a very sour defeat.”

Rangers' manager Steven Gerrard walks along the side line during the Europa League round of 32 first leg soccer match between Antwerp and Rangers at the Bosuil stadium in Antwerp, Belgium, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. Rangers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Colleague and analyst Patrick Goots asked ‘How the hell is Antwerp going to keep the zero next week?’

He added: “Scoring three goals at home and not winning – you rarely come across that. Antwerp can be proud of the game delivered, but has to hit itself on the head with all those individual mistakes."

Antwerp goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was criticised for his blunder to gift Rangers an empty net 25 yards out to open the scoring, in Het Laaste Nieuws: “Aribo benefitted. What a giveaway from Beiranvand. He will never become a reliable final piece,” wrote correspondents MVS/YP.

HLN also highlighted the press reaction to a cagey opening, marked only by James Tavernier’s injury: “Nothing happened in the first half hour. ‘Whoever scores, wins,’ suggested one on the press benches. We have not seen him again after the match.”

Martin Hongla of Royal Antwerp battles for possession with Joe Aribo of Rangers. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

That came long before the drama and ‘the two teams delivered an unbridled end to the match’ described Le Soir. “The end of the match was captivating,” said Het Laaste Nieuws.

"Those Scots are not used to diving into the changing rooms at a disadvantage. We may never know what Steven Gerrard said during half-time, but Rangers came back on the field very sharply," HLN added.

Rangers included players known to the Belgian observers – ex-Anderlecht striker Kemar Roofe and former Genk playmaker Ianis Hagi – though Roofe did go off injured at the end of the first half which Rangers trailed 2-1.

“Being Rangers 2-1 is not a terrible result as a visiting team, but the visitors went on the hunt for the equalizer after the break. Without their Jamaican, though, because Roofe was replaced injured in the added time. Well, we had rarely seen him. He has already scored 12 this season, but again seemed like the attacker who failed at Anderlecht. For his replacement - the sharp Kent - Antwerp certainly had to pay close attention,” wrote David Van den Broeck in GVA’s match report. “ A nice slalom,” said HLN.

Van Broeck later added “While Hagi (ex-Genk) still missed a huge chance, Kent did hit the spot. 3-3 and Kent almost even managed the 3-4. We could hardly keep up, because on the other side Hongla and De Laet also missed big chances in the 4-3. The final chord turned out to be for the Scots, because Seck committed hands, caused a new penalty kick and Barisic gave the visitors the victory. This makes it very difficult for Antwerp in Glasgow."

To “Eliminate this team next week,” HLN added, "would be an immense stunt.”

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