Rangers women threatened a shock result away to Benefica before missing out on qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the first time.

Rangers women threatened a shock result away to Benefica before missing out on qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the first time.

A close-range finish from 16-year-old Emma Watson took the tie into extra time at 3-3 on aggregate but a solo goal from Canada striker Cloe Lacasse and a late breakaway finish from Jessica Silva gave the Portuguese what was a deserved win.

Even defender Lucia Alves’ late sending-off could not deny the hosts.

Goalkeeper Victoria Esson, whose first-leg own-goal fumble handed Benefica their first-leg advantage, had this time denied the Portuguese champions a more convincing victory as they reached the group stage for a second successive season with a 10th straight win.