Zenit crush Rangers' Euro dream
Second half goals from Igor Denisov and Konstatin Zyryanov helped Zenit St Petersburg beat Rangers 2-0 in the final of the UEFA Cup in Manchester. The Scottish champions played with spirit and guts, but ultimately failed to contain the technically gifted Russian side coached by their former manager Dick Advocaat.
Despite being outnumbered on the terraces by almost six-to-one, the Russian champions started brightly, with the Andriy Arshavin firing into the side netting when well placed after five minutes.
Rangers' response was immediate and only a full-length block from Radek Sirl prevented Barry Ferguson from toeing home Jean-Claude Darchville's low cross.
It was to prove an isolated burst of attacking promise as Rangers kept their opponents largely at arms length, with Aleksandr Anyukov's crisp half-volley from 25-yards providing the most serious threat to Neil Alexander's goal in the opening half hour.
Rangers came close to opening the scoring in the opening moment of the second half when Chaos in the Zenit penalty area resulted Darcheville having a shot saved by Malofeev and Rangers captain Barry Ferguson appealing in vain for handball by Denisov.
Walter Smith's side continued to grow in confidence and nearly took the lead when Steven Whittaker drilled in a low shot that was deflected narrowly wide and from the resulting corner, Steven Davis' effort was cleared from the foot of the post.
Having averted the danger, Arshavin latched onto a long clearance, beat Alexander to the ball and would have opened the scoring were it not for Sasa Papac who rushed back to the head away from underneath his own crossbar.
But their stay of execution was short-lived, as Arshavin, whose influence was increasing all the time, released Denisov who fired past Alexander from 12 yards in the 72nd minute.
The same player had the chance to kill the game off two minutes later but he failed to show the same composure, blasting off the outside of the post from six yards after Arshavin had again picked him out with an astute cutback.
Walter Smith threw on Lee McCulloch, Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo in a desperate attempt to force extra time, but the Spaniard wasted a glittering opportunity in the 90th minute, blazing over from eight yards after Barry Ferguson's long throw had fallen invitingly into his path.
And Zenit clinched victory with the last kick of the game when the inspirational Arshavin released Fatih Tekke and his cross was converted from no more than a yard out by Zyryanov.
Comments
Add a comment
Be the first to comment on this
If you are a Gambling.com member, please login at the top left of this page.
If you are not a Gambling.com member, please complete our sign up form—membership is free and it takes just a minute or two to sign up.