Click for Sound
Video Loading
Athletic Club v Rangers - Best of the Europa League action

Rangers' European adventure is over after a 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao as the Basque side move a step closer to a dream Europa League Final back in their San Mames home in May.

The first-half was pretty dominant for the home side in terms of possession, but Rangers had defended valiantly, throwing themselves in front of shots to keep the scores level. It took until the final minute of injury time for Bilbao to take the lead on the night, and in the tie, as Maroan Sannadi got his foot between John Souttar and the ball as the Rangers’ defender looked to clear, with the resulting contact in the box leading to a spot-kick award.

Oihan Sancet stepped up this time after his team-mate Alex Berenguer had seen his own spot-kick saved by Liam Kelly in last week’s first-leg, but the keeper had no chance this time, as the Bilbao No. 8 planted his penalty into the bottom corner, sending Kelly the wrong way.

Rangers were left feeling aggrieved at the failure to award them a penalty of their own as Cyriel Dessers saw his shirt partially ripped off him in a challenge in the box, with the VAR electing not to intervene, much to the Nigerian's dismay.

Barry Ferguson saw Ridvan Yilmaz and Leon Balogun have to leave the action early through injury and the interim boss struggled valiantly to get his patched-up players into a shape to attack. They created some second half moments, but his side were undone with 10 minutes to go as captain James Tavernier dropped his man at the back post for Nico Williams to storm in and bullet home a header for Bilbao's clincher.

Manchester United or Lyon will now play the La Liga side for a place in the Final, with that game in Manchester currently in extra-time after Ruben Amorim's side blew a two-goal lead inside 90 minutes.

It wasn't to be on another European adventure for Rangers but stick with us as we bring you all the reaction from the Basque Country LIVE right here.

What the pundits said

Gio van Bronckhorst and Alan Hutton

There was outrage and honesty from the Rangers pundits after Athletic Club ended the dream journey to Bilbao.

The outrage was at the failure to award Barry Ferguson's side a penalty in the first half when Cyriel Dessers had his shirt ripped off him by Dani Vivian.

But there was honesty that John Souttar's foul on Maroan Sanaddi was the correct call at the other end, and that the Basques were worthy winners over the two legs.

Record Sport looks at what 4 Ibrox VIPs made of the Europa League quarter-final defeat

  • Share

Latest scores

Out of the other three quarter finals, two are currently in extra time, as Lyon have come from two goals down to LEAD at Old Trafford, while Lazio have overturned their own two-goal deficit from the first leg with Bodo/Glimt, leading 3-0 on the night in the Stadio Olimpico and 3-2 on aggregate.

Tottenham have won in Frankfurt, beating Eintracht by a Dominic Solanke goal to nil.

Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Tottenham (1-2 agg.) FT

Lazio 3-0 Bodo/Glimt (3-2 agg.) L

Manchester United 2-3 Lyon (4-5 agg.) L

  • Share

Tavernier post-match

James Tavernier has backed Barry Ferguson for the Rangers job (Image: TNT Sport)

James Tavernier spoke to TNT Sports in the aftermath of a defeat on his 100th European tie for the club and the Rangers captain couldn't hide his disappointment in exiting the competition.

It obviously hurts, I thought first half we were a shadow of ourselves. We let the occasion get to us.

We tried to address it at half time. We knew we had 45 minutes to address it. The boys tried to give it all, but it wasn't enough.

On the shouts for a Rangers penalty, Tavernier added:

"[Cyriel Dessers] saw his top was ripped - it either goes for you or against you.

On the impact of Barry Ferguson and the interim boss's future, Tavernier said:

I've been really happy since Barry's came in. He's really steadied the ship with us, and he obviously knows the DNA of the club...it's obviously not my decision but I'd love to have Barry for next season.

  • Share

Rangers ratings

Rangers players look dejected following Sancet's opener

Rangers struggled to impose their will on a top LaLiga side this evening, but how did your favourites fare? We've got all the ratings hot off the Bilbao presses.

Rangers player ratings as Nsiala takes chance, bumbling Barron does the opposite and 3 others make grave errors

  • Share

Talking Points

Nico Williams of Athletic Club celebrates scoring to make it 2-0

There was many a talking point to be discussed this evening as Rangers bowed out of the Europa League at the quarter-final stage, and we've got them all covered for you below.

Shirt goes down as trophyless Rangers troubled by VAR snub and ruthless Bilbao make them pay – 5 talking points

  • Share

Full-time: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Rangers (2-0 agg.)

Nico Williams of Athletic Club celebrates scoring to make it 2-0

It's full-time in the San Mames and it's Athletic Club who will progress to the Europa League semi-finals after a 2-0 win.

Goals from an Oihan Sancet penalty and a terrific Nico Williams header have sealed the deal for the Basque side, who are dreaming of reaching the Final in May that will be played on home soil.

It wasn't Rangers' night as their hosts dominated the majority of play, but they will point to a penalty decision in the first half going against them.

Final score in Bilbao: Athletic Club 2-0 Rangers (2-0 agg.)

  • Share

Igamane fires wide

The ball comes through for Hamza Igamane, but he fires wide of the post.

That's a major chance for the visitors but it's not their night.

  • Share

Nsiala stops counter

The ball is cleared, but Nsiala is back on the cover.

  • Share

Rangers corner

It's a late corner as Raskin's cross goes behind. Can Rangers make a game of it?

  • Share

Four added minutes

We're into four added minutes at the end of this one, with Rangers looking well beaten at this stage.

  • Share

Rangers free-kick

It's a late free-kick from the right for Rangers, who are looking increasingly desperate in their attacks, but it's cleared.

  • Share

Double sub for Bilbao

Berenguer and Nico Williams are coming off for the home side, to be replaced by Alvaro Djalo and Mikel Vesga for the closing moments.

  • Share

Danilo blocked off

Rangers are desperate to try and mount a comeback, but the ball is blocked as Danilo looked to get on the end of it.

  • Share

Rangers double sub

Bajrami and Danilo are on for Rangers with Cerny and Diomande come off.

  • Share

ANOTHER two goal deficit

This Rangers team certainly have plenty of experience playing from two goals down, having done so in the vast majority of Barry Ferguson's tenure, but it's surely too much to see another comeback with seven to play in Bilbao.

  • Share

Bilbao sub

Oihan Sancet is off for the home side, with Unai Gomez on to replace him.

  • Share

GOAL: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Rangers

Athletic Club's Nico Williams scores to make it 2-0

It's surely game over now for Rangers as Nico Williams ghosts in at the back post for a free header which he plants past Liam Kelly.

It's a great deep cross from the right hand side and a player of Williams' quality was never going to miss that.

Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Rangers.

  • Share

Sancet heads over

Rangers struggle to get it clear from the corner with the ball eventually falling for Sancet, who can only head over, after another stramash in the box.

  • Share

Bilbao corner

The initial clearance comes right back at the Rangers defence, as Berenguer cuts inside and sees his low effort deflected behind.

  • Share

Tavernier booked

The Rangers captain is cautioned after bringing down Nico Williams for a Bilbao free-kick, which is cleared.

  • Share

Top defending

Jefte does very well to get a foot on the ball on the stretch as de Marcos sought to play the sliderule pass in behind him.

The ball falls for Vivian and the big centre-half has a go from distance that's well over.

  • Share

Notes from the bench

James Tavernier reads in-match instructions from Barry Ferguson

Barry Ferguson has handed a note to Igamane, who hands it onto his captain with some instructions from the bench as to a potential tactical switch as Rangers look to plot a route back into this one.

  • Share

Double sub for Bilbao

Sannadi is replaced by Gorka Guruzeta as Athletic Bilbao turn to their bench. Benat Prados is also on, for Ruiz de Gallareta.

  • Share

Igamane effort over

The free-kick goes all the way through to Igamane on the left side and the Moroccan tries to work the space for a cross, but his effort is over the bar.

  • Share

Free-kick Rangers

Souttar is barged over by Sannadi as Bilbao looked to break and it's another chance to launch one into the box for the visitors.

  • Share

Cerny effort

Vaclav Cerny cuts inside, dropping the shoulder to create space for a shot, but it's straight at the keeper, who does spill it but is able to mop it up quickly.

Still 1-0.

  • Share

Rangers corner

Mohamed Diomande and Athletic Club's Mikel Jauregizar in action

Rangers win a corner as Cerny sends his cross to the back post, only for de Marcos to head it behind before it could reach Dessers.

Diomande is almost through himself from a through pass but just holds up on the surface.

  • Share

Tavernier denies Williams

Nico Williams of Athletic Club is challenged by James Tavernier

Nico Williams has been his usual lightning quick self down the left, but Tavernier is across well to block him off this time as the winger looks to play it by him and run past his man.

  • Share

VAR Decision: NO PENALTY

Rangers are denied a spot-kick once more, as the VAR determines there's no infringement.

  • Share

VAR Check: Potential Penalty

There's a VAR Check for a potential penalty for handball during that stramash in the box.

  • Share