Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen: Naderi late strike sends Rangers into cup final

Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen ended with Ryan Naderi scoring a dramatic late winner to send Rangers into the Premier Sports Cup final. Aberdeen had offered stubborn resistance in a tight semi-final, but Naderi’s strike finally broke them down and settled the match.

The decisive moment came after a first half short on quality, with Aberdeen limiting Rangers to one shot on target before the break. Derek McInnes’s side then picked up the pace after half-time, but Rangers found the goal that mattered.

Naderi provides the breakthrough

Naderi’s late strike was the defining act of a match in which Rangers had to wait for their opening. Aberdeen’s resistance kept the contest finely balanced, but the late goal secured a 1-0 win and booked Rangers’ place in the Premier Sports Cup final.

For Rangers, the outcome mattered more than the fluency of the performance. The semi-final was not settled by a rush of clear chances, but by one decisive finish at the end of a difficult contest.

Naderi’s contribution gave Rangers the key moment they needed after Aberdeen had made the match uncomfortable for long periods. His winner changed a tense cup tie into a successful night for the Ibrox side.

Aberdeen frustrate Rangers before half-time

The first half was described as low quality, with Rangers struggling to create clear openings. Aberdeen’s defensive work was effective enough to restrict Rangers to just one shot on target in the opening period.

That lack of attacking rhythm shaped the tone of the semi-final. Rangers had to stay patient, while Aberdeen’s stubborn approach kept them in the game and prevented an early breakthrough.

The one-shot-on-target figure underlined how difficult Rangers found it to turn possession and territory into genuine danger before the interval. Aberdeen’s ability to limit the quality of chances ensured the tie stayed tight.

McInnes’s side raise the pace after the break

Derek McInnes’s side picked up the pace after the break, adding more urgency to a match that had offered little quality in the first half. Aberdeen remained difficult to break down, forcing Rangers to keep searching for a route through.

Rangers eventually found that route through Naderi. His late goal broke Aberdeen’s resistance and gave the semi-final its decisive moment.

The narrow scoreline reflected the difficulty of the contest. Rangers did enough to advance, while Aberdeen were beaten after pushing the match deep without conceding earlier.

Rangers move on to the final

Rangers will now take their place in the Premier Sports Cup final after edging Aberdeen by the minimum margin. The 1-0 win was built on persistence, a late breakthrough and Naderi’s ability to decide a tight semi-final when the chance arrived.