Ferencváros continued their impressive run in the Europa League, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Scotland’s Rangers at the Groupama Arena on the sixth matchday. The win not only ensured the Hungarian side remained unbeaten in the group stage but also significantly boosted their chances of a direct qualification to the Round of 16.
Contrasting Form Sets The Scene
The clash was defined by the contrasting fortunes of the two teams leading into the final group match. Ferencváros entered the game exceeding expectations, boasting 11 points and sitting comfortably in sixth place overall after a solid performance that included a critical away draw against Fenerbahce.
In stark opposition, Rangers had endured a disappointing European campaign. The Scottish side managed to collect just one point from their previous five matches—that single point coming against Portugal’s Braga—leaving them languishing in 33rd position out of 36 competing teams.
A First Half Full of Controversy
The opening fifteen minutes saw the visitors create a couple of fleeting opportunities, though the most significant early threat came from the home side. Ferencváros' Nigerian striker, Yusuf Bamidele, showed a good turn of pace to break through the Rangers defense but failed to capitalize with a weak finish.
As Fradi started to find their rhythm, the match took a controversial turn. Following a rapid counter-attack by Rangers, Max Aarons played a ball into the centre. Danilo’s initial shot deflected, bouncing perfectly for Bojan Miovski. The striker demonstrated spectacular skill to set up Dávid Gróf, who put the ball in the net. The on-field officials initially ruled the goal offside, but a lengthy VAR review overturned the decision, confirming the former MTK striker was, in fact, marginally onside, handing Rangers an unexpected lead.
The goal seemed to shift the momentum, and as the first half neared its conclusion, Rangers adopted time-wasting tactics. However, this strategy backfired in dramatic fashion. Deep into the five minutes of added time, Fradi centre-back Ibrahim Cissé pushed forward and found Bence Ötvös. Ötvös cleverly slotted the ball into the far corner from 12 yards out, bringing the two sides level at 1-1 just before the break.
Keane’s Milestone Secures The Win
The second half began with high intensity, but the first clear chance didn't arrive until the 50th minute. Barnabás Varga made a powerful run toward goal, only to be denied by a perfectly timed tackle from Nasser Djiga, who managed to push the ball out for a corner.
Ferencváros’ sustained pressure eventually paid dividends. On the left wing, O’Dowda received a pass, drove forward, and delivered a pinpoint cross to Varga. The forward made no mistake from four yards, netting the decisive goal and ensuring Fradi took the lead. This goal was particularly significant, as it marked Coach Robbie Keane’s 10th international goal for the club, drawing him level with Tibor Nyilasi’s long-standing record.
In the final twenty minutes, the visitors struggled to mount a cohesive attack. Their only moment of genuine peril came late in the game when substitute Findlay Curtis’s low, long-range shot deflected off Cissé’s leg, forcing an outstanding save from the experienced goalkeeper, Dávid Gróf, who managed to deny the effort.
Rangers, visibly lacking creativity in the final third, failed to create any major danger during the four minutes of added time. Ferencváros successfully managed the game, securing all three points at the Groupama Arena with the 2-1 victory.
European Ambitions Confirmed
The victory guarantees Ferencváros a top-24 spot in the main draw of the cup competition, confirming their place in the knockout stages. More importantly, their strong performance and final group position give them a significant opportunity to reach the top eight, which would grant them direct qualification to the Round of 16 without the need for a play-off tie. The Hungarian side can now look forward to the draw with high confidence, having completed a truly unbeaten and successful group stage run.