Darren Bent rages over ‘unnatural’ Rangers controversy v Benfica live on talkSPORT
Darren Bent was left fuming after John Souttar was punished for a controversial handball decision as Rangers drew 2-2 with Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday (7 March).
The 27-year-old was battling to clear a cross when the ball struck his arm in the penalty area and, after a long VAR check, the referee finally reversed his decision and pointed for a spot-kick.
Angel Di Maria smashed past Jack Butland in the Gers net, cancelling out Tom Lawrence’s early headed opener. Dujon Sterling restored the lead only for a Connor Goldson own goal to make it 2-2.
Speaking live via talkSPORT on Friday (8 March, 4:15pm), Bent reacted to the decision, saying: “How they give that as a penalty… Oh my. His arm is about half an inch from his face, and they give that?
“In no shape or form, is that a penalty. When you go to head the ball, your arm naturally comes up. They’re asking players to jump without using their arms, which is unnatural.”
Can Rangers bypass Benfica in the Europa League?
Philippe Clement will be disappointed not to come away from Portugal with a victory, taking a draw back to Ibrox for the second leg on Thursday 14 March.
With Lawrence’s early opener, it looked as though the Gers could put the tie out of reach for Benfica. However, the questionable penalty decision allowed them straight back into the match, knocking the side’s confidence slightly.
Ibrox will need to be at its very best for the return leg, pushing the players to perform on one of the biggest stages at continental level, but the squad should be confident that they can claim the win.
Benfica are certainly not a team to be underestimated, even despite their recent losses to Sporting CP and FC Porto in the league, with the likes of Di Maria, David Neres, Joao Neves and Nicolas Otamendi starring for the side.
Clement will be wary not to get too ahead of himself, and remind his squad that there is still a job to do, but fans definitely have a reason to be excited about the prospect of listing the Europa League trophy.
In other Rangers news, a journalist has mooted a potential Ibrox exit as the Gers look to kickstart their player-trading model.
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