SIZZLING Alfredo Morelos was too hot for Porto.
An inspirational second half from the Gers idol scorched a famed outfit – and gave Steven Gerrard arguably his biggest win yet as Rangers boss.
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Morelos scored and also set up Steven Davis for the clincher.
Rangers took their time to really get going – and it was the man rated at £25 million by some who finally sparked them.
Morelos is now on 21 goals for the season – 11 in Europe alone – and overall boasts 15 for the club in continental competition.
Now the Gers are vying with Young Boys to win Group G with two games left.
Gerrard brought back Brandon Barker for Sheyi Ojo to go with the team that dazzled at the Estadio do Dragao a fortnight ago.
And his players really couldn’t have been more confident going into their manager’s 26th Europa League tie in charge, with a 100-per-cent home record this season in the competition.
Yet, for most of the first half they were bossed by a Porto side who looked well motivated to atone for being outclassed by the Gers on their own patch.
Uribe threatened for the visitors after eight minutes with a right foot shot deflected for a corner – and seconds later, from Alex Telles’ dead-ball, it needed a miraculous goal-line clearance for Gers to avoid going behind.
Pepe got a near-post flick on which took the ball over a leaping Allan McGregor and was bound for the net until Glen Kamara – surrounded by Porto players – incredibly managed to stretch out his right foot and hack it clear.
TV replays showed the ball was literally on the line.
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Four minutes later Gers enjoyed another escape – giant striker Francisco Soares leaping at the far post to meet an Otavio cross but only putting his header across the goal.
It was an impressive start by Porto and Gers were rattled.
Gers won several corners but James Tavernier’s deliveries were not the best.
Widemen Barker and Ryan Kent were seeing plenty of the ball either flank but couldn’t trouble a solid Porto defence.
Kent fired wildly over approaching the half hour as Gers continued to struggle to make a mark.
Porto were sharp and zipped the ball about with confidence.
But suddenly Gers had a great opportunity following sloppiness from the Portuguese outfit, Kent broke down right and had the unmarked Morelos waiting in the box with just Otavio defending.
Agonisingly, the ball across wasn’t good enough and the Porto man cleared.
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McGregor produced a brilliant reaction save to tip over a 34th minute Soares header from a Telles free-kick – but the targetman was flagged offside.
Gers fans were now agitated by their team’s failure to significantly trouble a controlling Porto.
But they were encouraged again by a strong finish to the half – and the Gers best move.
Tavernier and Davis combined very well before the full-back raced clear in the box and cut-back the ball for Barker just 14-yards out.
But when it was crying out for a composed effort on goal the winger instead shot horribly over. He had to do better.
Ex-Real Madrid stopper Pepe had been given the runaround by goalcorer Morelos in Porto.
But his game was over just two minutes into the second half following a clearing challenge on the Colombian, immediately signalling to the bench he was in trouble.
That was a real blow for Sergio Conceicao as the 36-year-old had been commanding and keeping Morelos quiet.
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There was no lack of effort from the Gers – but there was a real lack of quality where it mattered.
Kent made space for a left foot shot in the 54th minute – unfortunately though it was about 12-yards wide of the far post.
Gers had plenty of the ball but Porto were too well organised for them, even without Pepe.
But then on the hour Kent – who worked hard all night to penetrate – created a shooting chance with some blinding footwork only to see Augustin Marchesin get down well at his near post to push it wide for a corner.
The atmosphere became edgy as Porto began to be a threat again.
Wilson Manafa beat McGregor with a point-blank angled shot in the 67th minute but Connor Goldson cleared off the line.
Just as the tension was building Gers stunned Porto with an opener two minutes later from – who else – Morelos.
Great determination from Tavernier saw him carry the ball forward and then get it to Ryan Jack wide right.
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His ball into the box picked out Morelos who controlled the ball with his right foot and then magnificently buried a left foot shot into the far corner.
Ibrox erupted with joy and little wonder – it was a fabulous finish.
Porto couldn’t believe it. For so long pretty comfortable, now behind out of nowhere.
And Gers sensationally went two up in the 73rd minute.
Morelos once more took plaudits for good work wide before cutting in and picking out Davis at the edge of the box.
The Northern Ireland ace hit a right foot shot which took a wicked deflection to fool Marchesin who was beaten straight down the middle.
It was an incredible turnaround – and Davis’ first Gers goal since 2012, the final year of his first Ibrox spell.
Porto attacked in the closing stages but Goldson, in particular, was a rock for the Light Blues as they celebrated a tremendous win over the twice European champions.
They look bound for the last 32.
