Rangers backed up last week’s stunning comeback by producing a poised performance to dump Braga from the Europa League and reach the final 16.
Ryan Kent’s calm, breakaway finish coupled with a solid defensive display signifies the Ibrox side have been in the last 16 in European competition for the first time since 2011.
It may have been more comfortable had Ianis Hagi not had a first-half penalty saved and Scott Arfield’s late effort from the close range not been correctly ruled out for offside.
But few would have contributed Steven Gerrard’s side hope of progressing against the Europa League’s top scorers, having been 2-0 down after an hour of their house leg.
Kent’s strike, however, guaranteed a 4-2 aggregate victory and means Rangers can look ahead with enthusiasm to Friday’s draw at 12:00 GMT at Nyon.
Rangers should have been out of sight by the period but had to wait till an hour before catching the goal that finally assured their progress.
They were defending progressively deeper as Braga started to exert pressure, but Hagi’s ball on the top introduced Kent to race and fire low past Matheus, in off the far post. It was a counter-attacking masterclass and no longer than Rangers deserved, having spurned three glorious first-half chances.
Braga’s high defensive line was blessed to be exploited and Rangers chose a hole in it early on. Kent threaded through for Arfield, who bore down on goal before slipping a pass to Florian Kamberi. The striker looked tentative as he struck it and Matheus managed to beat the shot off.
Kent then had an equally gilt-edged chance to put Rangers ahead but he dragged his shot wide of the far post from Hagi’s pull-back.
Braga were enjoying a lot of possession, especially in the wide regions, which seemed their most likely route to the target. Twice Nuno Sequeira delivered in the left and double Paulinho went near – the first header tipped over the bar by Allan McGregor.
But then came Rangers’ greatest opportunity as Raul Silva was penalised for tackling Kent’s corner – a decision confirmed by VAR. Hagi, the protagonist of the first leg struck the punishment firmly but Matheus threw his left arm as he dived to his right and kept his group flat in the evening.
The huge travelling support could have feared those misses would return to haunt them but Kent’s strike settled them.
Rangers’ defensive frailties are subjected to this year, but they revealed a decision and organisation here who’ve deserted them.
Paulinho had yet another header, this time off the exterior of McGregor’s left-wing article, but Rangers held company to take their place in the last 16.
Put into the middle of the defence in place of the beleaguered Nikola Katic, Edmundson was a colossus as he repaid his manager’s faith in him.
The whole back four was strong and the midfield trio of Ryan Jack, Steven Davis and Arfield did a power of closing-down to suffocate Braga’s creative forces.
However, Edmundson’s commanding presence alongside Connor Goldson was the bedrock upon which the success was constructed.
