In a night of high drama at Ibrox Stadium, Norwegian outsiders SK Brann staged a remarkable second-half comeback to claim a famous 2-1 victory over Rangers, leaving the Glasgow giants' European aspirations in serious jeopardy.
Early Dominance Fades for Rangers
The match began brightly for the home side, with Rangers controlling possession and creating several early chances. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Abdallah Sima continued his impressive European form, firing home from close range after some neat build-up play to send the Ibrox faithful into raptures.
Rangers appeared comfortable heading into halftime, but the visitors emerged from the break with renewed purpose and tactical discipline that would ultimately turn the game on its head.
Brann's Second-Half Revolution
The Norwegian side transformed after the interval, pressing higher and disrupting Rangers' rhythm. Their persistence paid dividends in the 58th minute when Aune Heggebø rose highest to power home a header from a perfectly delivered corner, silencing the previously buoyant home crowd.
As Rangers struggled to regain their composure, Brann grew in confidence. The decisive moment arrived with just 12 minutes remaining, when substitute Niklas Castro produced a moment of magic, curling a superb effort beyond Jack Butland from the edge of the area to complete the stunning turnaround.
Concerning Signs for Clement's Side
This result marks another concerning European performance for Philippe Clement's team, who now face an uphill battle to progress from their group. The manner of the collapse - surrendering control after appearing comfortable - will raise serious questions about the team's mentality and game management.
For Brann, this represents one of the greatest results in their European history, a tactical masterclass from manager Eirik Horneland that demonstrates the growing competitiveness of Norwegian football on the continental stage.
The defeat leaves Rangers with significant work to do in their remaining group matches, while Brann return to Bergen with a famous victory that will be celebrated for years to come.
