You are in > manchester.com  > News > Zenit end Rangers' Uefa Cup dream

General Sport

Zenit end Rangers' Uefa Cup dream

15/05/2008

Zenit St Petersburg have won the Uefa Cup final after beating Rangers 2-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The Russian side struck two late goals against a valiant Rangers side who looked like the number of games they have played recently had caught up to them.

Midfielder Andrei Arshavin was the architect of Rangers' downfall, setting up both of Zenit's goals. Igor Denisov played a one-two with the midfielder before slotting home the first and then Konstatin Zyryanov claimed the second in injury-time.

Walter Smith continued to adopt a cautious approach, as he has done in previous rounds of the competition, which allowed the Russian side to dominate territory in the first half.

Although they were unable to break the deadlock Zenit went close when Arshavin found the side netting from and acute angle, while Anatoly Tymoschuk had a long-range effort well saved.

Rangers played mostly on the counter-attack and Barry Ferguson was denied a good chance by a last-ditch tackle by Radek Sirl.

Steven Whittaker should have done better just before the break when he lost his marker, only to guide his header over the bar.

At the start of the second half Rangers almost forced their way past the Zenit defence but a goal-mouth scramble could not garner a goal as Ferguson struck the base of the post.

Zenit still looked dangerous and nearly claimed the lead when Arshavin's chip was cleared off the line by Sasa Papac.

With 20 minutes to go Zenit managed to get the breakthrough as Denisov worked his way through the Rangers defence with the help of Arshavin.

Rangers pushed hard in the closing minutes of the match but their eagerness for an equaliser left gaps in their defence which Zyryanov took full advantage of as he sealed the final with Zenit's second goal.

Although their European dream is over, Rangers will hope to secure a domestic treble with the league and Scottish Cup still to play for.