UEL: Cyriel Dessers’ goal salvages point for Rangers in Greece

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Forward Cyriel Dessers scored his first goal in the 2024/2025 UEFA Europa League as Scottish side Rangers forced Olympiacos to a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

Dessers had scored three goals with an assist in 10 league games ahead of the game at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus.

Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi opened scoring for the host in the 56th minute from a half-volley inside the box after receiving a pass from Chiquinho.

The lead lasted eight minutes before Dessers leveled the scoreline with a good strike from Vaclav Cerny’s pass.

After providing two assists in the UEFA Europa League, Dessers finally scored his first goal.

He was replaced by Hamza Igamane in the 85th minute.

His exclusion from Nigeria’s senior national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda has sparked reactions from fans.

After the draw, Rangers occupy the 10th position in the Europa League with seven points after four games.