Zenit St Petersburg 2-0 Rangers:Zenit St Petersburg won their first Uefa Cup when Igor Denisov and Konstantin Zyrianov's second-half goals gave the Russian side a 2-0 win over Rangers tonight.

Midfielder Denisov broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute after playmaker Andrei Arshavin slipped the ball neatly through for him to calmly shoot past goalkeeper Neil Alexander and Zyrianov added their second goal in stoppage time.
   
Zenit created most of the chances at the City of Manchester stadium, with the Scottish side content to soak up pressure.
   
Rangers could have made more of a scramble in the box early in the second half after Zenit keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev fumbled a Jean-Claude Darcheville shot.
   
Rangers, appearing in their first European final since lifting the Cup Winners' Cup in 1972, desperately sought an equaliser but Zenit kept up the pressure and Zyrianov made sure of the victory by finishing a fine move from close range.

A tight first-half saw few clear-cut opportunities, with Zenit dominating possession without managing to break down a resolute Rangers defence.

Andrei Arshavin provided the cutting edge for the Russians and looked dangerous in sporadic breaks forward, while Rangers were content to try and hit their opponents on the counter on the rare occasions they ventured into the final third.

Walter Smith's side were able to establish more of a foothold on proceedings after the break and almost took the lead when Barry Ferguson saw a stabbed effort cleared off the line by a desperate Zenit defence.

However, a slick move involving Denisov and Arshavin resulted in the former slotting a low effort into the bottom corner past a helpless Alexander.

Rangers did all they could to muster an equaliser, throwing on three attacking substitutes in a desperate bid to find a breakthrough.

The best of their opportunities fell to Nacho Novo, but the striker could only fire high into the stands when presented with a late chance 10-yards out.

Deep into injury-time Zenit added the second when Fatih Tekke beat the Gers' offside trap to square for Zurianov to tap into an unguarded net.

The masses of Rangers supporters who had descended on Manchester were ultimately left despondent but can be proud of their side after a remarkable European adventure.