Nice 1-4 Rangers: Hamza Igamane double sees Philippe Clement's side earn big UEFA Europa League win - Eurosport

Vaclav Cerny, Mohamed Diomande, and Hamza Igamane, who scored twice, led Rangers to an impressive 4-1 victory over OGC Nice at the Allianz Riviera.

Philippe Clement adjusted the team that played to a draw against St Mirren over the weekend, making a significant decision by giving Hamza Igamane his first European start for the club. As a result, Cyriel Dessers moved to the bench.

Following a strong opening from Rangers, Nice was given the opportunity to score an early goal when referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea awarded a penalty for a handball by John Souttar. However, he was later instructed by VAR to review the decision on the monitor.

Following a long wait and the controversy of three incidents occurring in quick succession, the Rangers were granted a second chance.

Rangers scored first after 35 minutes when Igamane set up Cerny right at the edge of the penalty area, following an excellent cross from Dujon Sterling.

Just three minutes later, Rangers extended their advantage after Nice lost focus defensively. Diomande skillfully lifted the ball over the goalkeeper into the net. Before halftime, the Scottish Premiership team scored again when Igamane seized on a weak back pass, sidestepped Marcin Bulka, who had ventured off his line, and calmly finished into the goal.

Igamane netted his second goal of the game after more mistakes from the home team allowed the Moroccan player to break through and find the back of the net. He almost had a chance to complete a hat-trick but missed the opportunity when he couldn't connect with Connor Barron’s cross. Meanwhile, Ridvan Yilmaz and Dessers also had chances to add to the score.

Nice managed to score a consolation goal in the final 10 minutes when Badredine Bouanani's free-kick hit the top right corner of the net, putting an end to Jack Butland's chance for a clean sheet.

Nice is set to take on Lyon in Ligue 1 before heading to Union SG for their next Europa League match. At the same time, Rangers will play against St Johnstone in the league, followed by a Europa League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Rangers Make A Strong Comeback

Although the match started off well, it took 35 minutes for the first goal to be scored. Once that goal was netted, however, Nice struggled to resist the surge of confidence that Rangers gained with each passing minute.

They capitalized on every mistake made by their rivals and maintained a menacing presence on the field. Meanwhile, Nice seemed to be their own worst enemy, almost inviting further goals against them.

Clement might have had some doubts about choosing Igamane to start instead of Dessers, but those doubts were quickly put to rest. Igamane showcased his confidence in front of the goal during his first European match for the club.

Hamza Igmane Shines As Player Of The Match

The Rangers striker put on a great performance, showing precision even though he missed a few early opportunities for his team. He assisted with the first goal and then scored two more in the second half.

A well-earned first start in Europe for the Moroccan international.

Nice: Bulka 5, Louchet 5, Ndayshimiye 4, Abdelmonem 4, Bard 4, Boudaoui 5, Rosario 3, Camara 4, Bouanani 5, Moukoko 4, Laborde 4. Substitutes: Nandjou 4, Salhi 4, Guessand 4, Ndombele 4, Mohamed-Ali Cho 4.

Rangers: Butland received a score of 7, Sterling got 8, Souttar also had a 7, while Propper, Jefte, Barron, and Raskin each scored 7. Cerny and Diomande were rated at 8, Bajrami had a 6, and Igamane stood out with a score of 9. The substitutes were rated as follows: Tavenier scored 6, Yilmaz 6, Dessers 6, Rice 6, and McCausland also received a score of 6.

**6' EARLY DRAMA** Jack Butland has to make a save, and the ball bounces off John Souttar's arm. The referee calls a handball and refers the situation to VAR. In a strange turn of events, although the referee initially awarded a penalty, he was prompted by VAR to check the screen. After what felt like an eternity and reviewing three different moments in quick succession, the final decision was no penalty!

35' GOAL! OGC NICE 0-1 RANGERS (CERNY 35') Moments after what seemed like a poor choice to not return the ball to Barron, Vaclav Cerny has given his team the lead with a beautiful shot from inside the box. Hamza Igamane did an excellent job setting the ball up for Cerny following a fantastic cross from Sterling, and the traveling fans are celebrating loudly.

38' GOAL! OGC NICE 0-2 RANGERS (DIOMANDE 38') It's hard to fathom, but the Nice defender loses focus after yet another cross from Sterling. Mohamed Diomande takes advantage of the situation and deftly lifts the ball over the goalkeeper.

45+3' GOAL! OGC NICE 0-3 RANGERS (IGAMANE 45+3') A dreadful back pass to the goalie allows Igamane to chase it down and cut it off before the keeper can react. He skillfully gets past the Nice goalkeeper and finishes calmly into the net.

54' GOAL! OGC NICE 0-4 RANGERS (IGAMANE 54') Rosario has struggled all evening, allowing Igamane to slip past him and break away towards the goal. Igamane finishes confidently, scoring his second goal of the game.

83' GOAL! OGC NICE 1-4 RANGERS (BOUANANI 83') Although it’s just a consolation goal, Jack Butland can't maintain a clean sheet as Badredine Bouanani curls a beautiful free-kick into the top right corner of the net.