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Rangers face an epic challenge in the cauldron of the Estadio do Dragao tonight as they aim to steal points from aPortoside who have only lost once in their last ten games.
The Dragons were Champions League quarter finalists last season and although they were comprehensively beaten by eventual winnersLiverpoolthey took some impressive scalps along the way including Roma, Galatasaray and Schalke.
Steven Gerrardwill be under no illusions about the scale of task facing theIbroxmen as they attempt to make up for a disappointing last-gasp loss to Young Boys in the previous round of fixtures.
Ryan Jack returns after picking up an injury in that tie and the bustling midfielder will add much needed steel and aggression to the midfield.
As ever, all eyes will be onAlfredo Morelos (who grabbed his) th goal of the season
The Colombian will face wily veteran Pepe and although the legendary former Real Madrid defender’s best days are behind him he’s sure to be a dangerous opponent.
Ryan Kent and Brandon Barker have been given the nod by Gerrard as he goes bold with his selection for the crunch clash.
Rangers:McGregor, Tavernier, Barisic, Helander, Goldson, Davis, Jack, Kamara, Kent, Barker, Morelos
Subs:Foderingham, Katic, Flanagan, Arfield, Aribo, Ojo, Defoe
Porto:Marchesín, Corona, Pepe, Marcano, Alex Telles; Otávio, Uribe, Danilo, Luis Díaz; Marega, Zé Luís
Subs:Bruno Costa, Nakajima, Manafa, Mbemba, Tiquinho Soares, Diogo Costa, Silva
You can follow all the action as it happens, including the latest team news, in our LIVE blog below.
Incredible double save from Allan McGregor
That was sensational. He’s had nothing to do but when the moment came he stood up to be counted.
Barisic fires wide
He got a nice arc on the ball but his aim is about a foot off from the free-kick.
Substitutions for Rangers – Ojo and Arfield on for Barker and Jack
Free-kick to Rangers on the edge of the box
Morelos is brought down by Pepe. What a chance here for Barisic.
Incredible miss for Porto)
Soares and Pepe conspire to miss from two yards out after the Ibrox men fail to deal with a corner.
Poor defending there.
That’s a huge let-off. 99 times out of 100 that’s a goal.
Porto substitution – Soares in, Ze Luis off
The Cape Verde striker caused problems but tired.
Soares is very dangerous.
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Helander booked
The Swede gets too tight on Marenga and pulls him back.
Close from Rangers
A sensational Tavernier delivery eludes everyone when the merest of touches would have put Rangers ahead.
There’s another goal her for Rangers – can they take it?
Substitution for Rangers – Kent off, Aribo on
Silky soccer
Some sensational passing play there b etween the midfield to release Morelos who’s fouled by Alex Telles.
That was reminiscent of the best of the Advocaat era there. Extremely confident, stylish play.
Helander has been a colossus
He’s completely vindicated his boss’ decision to start him tonight.
The former Serie A defender has won everything in the air and on the deck.
Surely he will start more games after this …
Free-kick to Rangers in a good position
Tavernier drills the ball back across the box but Ryan Jack can’t keep his resultant shot down.
Bruno Costa booked
A poor, late challenge on Kamara from the Porto star.
Porto have stabilized
They looked shaken for the first 15 minutes but they have started to re-emerge in the game.
They have pushed up the pitch and are taking the game to Rangers who suddenly look leggy.
Ryan Kent looks tired
He’s been excellent but he’s given 65 minutes work and looks to have run his race.
Time for a change to re-energise the team?
Diaz off, Nakajima on for Porto
Nakajima is a dangerous player. The Japanese cost 12 million euros from Qatari club Al-Duhail SC.
Rangers are on top here
Porto are hemmed in and struggling.
Diogo Costa has just come on to replace the ineffectual Octavio.
Steven Gerrard will hope they don’t come to rue not capitalizing on this period of dominance.
Borna Barisic is running riot down the left
The Croat is finding so much space down the left and his crossing has been superb.
He w as released by Ryan Kent and won another corner there.
Porto are struggling to deal with him.
This is wide open
Either side could take this game. Both have come out punching here and it is going from end to end.
Incredible save from Marchesin
Barisic finds Morelos with another stunning cross.
The striker powers the ball at goal but the Porto keeper makes a great stop.
The Colombian will be disappointed he didn’t score.
Rangers are using the ball so well
They are knocking it about with confidence and have started the second half as the better team.
Corner for Rangers
Barisic swings it onto the head of Helander but the defender steers the ball wide.
Rangers’ physicality at set-pieces are causing Porto problems.
The frantic pace continues …
A brilliant tackle from Helander there as he nips in ahead of Marega.
He showed great strength to hold off the powerful forward.
And we are back for the second half
Rangers will hope to continue the momentum of the last 10 minutes of the first period.
Ryan Jack and Borna Barisic have both been booked and will have to be careful to stay on the right side of the law .
KEY EVENT
Half-time: Porto 1 Rangers 1
That was a very good Rangers performance overall in that first half.
Steven Gerrard will be delighted with both how they used the ball and the character shown to come back from a goal down.
The Gers really roared back at the Portuguese side and hit the bar before scoring what was a wonderful goal.
Rangers have shown time and again just how good they can be on the transition and the combination between Kent, Barisic and Morelos was superb.
Porto have shown their class at times, with Corona, Diaz and Luis all looking dangerous but as Gerrard said before they game, Rangers have nothing to fear here.
Porto have a free-kick
Telles floats it in tantalisingly but Connor Goldson clears.
KEY EVENT
Goal Alfredo Morelos! Porto 1 Rangers 1
A sensational counter from Rangers.
Kent finds Barisic with a gorgeous flick. The full-back swings in a pin-point cross for Morelos who takes a touch before lashing into the net.
What. A. Goal
Morelos now has SIXTEEN for the season.
Rangers have responded well
The Ibrox men have really stepped it up since going a goal down .
They are threatening going forward and as long as they keep it tight they will get more chances because Porto look vulnerable at the back.
The triumvirate of Barker, Kent and Morelos are causing problems.
Alfredo Morelos hits the bar!
James Tavernier’s corner is met by the Colombian.
His header is powerful and swings toward the goal with intent but comes back off the bar.
So unlucky …
KEY EVENT
Goal for Porto! Porto 1 Rangers 0
Well, it’s been coming.
Luis Diaz with a stunning strike from 25 yards.
It’s a top drawer strike but the skilful midfielder had all the time in the world to pick his spot.
Ryan Jack gave the ball away in the move that lead to the goal and won’t be happy with himself when he sees that back.
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