Ulf Kirsten's equaliser 11 minutes from the end, sweeping the ball home from close range from the substitute Thomas Reichenberger's knock across the goal area, was too little too late for Bayer Leverkusen at Ibrox last night. It was the least they deserved having dominated, but Rangers' 2-1 victory in Germany took them into the last 16.
Rangers' win means there is no German team in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup for the first time.
Dick Advocaat, the Rangers coach, emphasised often enough in the build-up that even victory in the first leg should not deflect his team from pursuing their normal, thrusting game. But for lengthy periods it seemed his certainty had not transmitted itself to his players as they allowed the visitors ample possession and too many scoring chances to be healthy.
Indeed Leverkusen could have been two goals ahead before Rangers contrived a goal attempt themselves, a harmless drive yards too high by Andrei Kanchelskis.
Erik Meijer was first to threaten, taking Ulf Kirsten's downward header and, from 18 yards, sending a low shot against Lionel Charbonnier's knees. The Danish striker was to leave the French goalkeeper in a greater sweat shortly.
Adam Matysek made a long clearance straight to Meijer, who bolted down the left, cut inside and sent a low cross-cum-shot inches wide of the far post.
In the 16th minute, though, he really should have scored when Stefan Beinlich's cross from the left found Kirsten, whose header sent the ball to Meijer on the six-yard line. But a hurried volley cleared the bar.
Rangers' greatest problem during the first half was gaining possession and they had to rely on a set-piece for their closest effort. Lorenzo Amoruso chipped to Rod Wallace, whose header found Jonatan Johansson. But the Finn, like the Dane, volleyed over. At least he had the excuse of being strongly challenged.
On the stroke of half-time Johansson missed another chance, heading high and wide from a delightful cross from Wallace. He was to make amends 12 minutes into the second half when Rangers, having been largely outplayed, took the lead.
The goal started from a German attack. Amoruso made a sweeping clearance from the edge of his box and Jan Heintze, stretching to intercept in midfield, pushed the ball into the path of Johansson. The striker had options as team-mates rushed to support but he moved the ball to his right foot and sent a wonderful drive from 20 yards high to the left of Matysek.
It was a salutary lesson for the Germans, who had watched Beinlich send his drive from similar range over the bar. Though they had outwitted Rangers in most areas of play, they had failed to convert opportunities.
Rangers: Charbonnier (Niemi 67), Porrini, Hendry, Amoruso, Numan, Kanchelskis (I Ferguson 67), B Ferguson (Wilson 90), Van Bronckhorst, Albertz, Wallace, Johansson. Subs Not Used: Amato, Petric, Vidmar, Miller. Booked: Van Bronckhorst. Goal: Johansson 56.
Bayer Leverkusen: Matysek, R Kovac (Emerson 39), Happe, Reeb, Nowotny, Ze Roberto, Kirsten, Meijer (N Kovac 77), Heintze (Reichenberger 66), Beinlich, Ramelow. Subs Not Used: Zivkovic, Rink, Mamic, Vollborn. Booked: Kirsten, Heintze. Goal: Kirsten 79.
Referee: L Batista (Portugal).
Defender Christian Panucci scored two goals as European Cup champions Real Madrid hammered Sturm Graz 5-1 last night to storm to the top of Group C of the Champions League.
The match had been postponed from Wednesday because of a waterlogged pitch and when the game finally got under way. Mario Haas headed Graz into an early lead in the third minute.
But it took only five minutes for Real to reply, with Panucci scoring with a header in the eighth minute to equalise. The Spaniards clinched the win with further goals from Predrag Mijatovic, Clarence Seedorf, Panucci and Davor Suker.
