If was a night of firsts, with Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori scoring their first ever goals in the UEFA Champions League and Tanguy Ndombele scoring his first for SSC Napoli, as the Azzurri moved to the top of Group A with a 0-3 win over Rangers FC.
The match, which was postponed by 24 hours, began with tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II, including a moment of silence, a British flag tifo and a non-UEFA-sanctioned performance of God Save the Queen.
The home side was energized by the crowd at the Ibrox Stadium, which featured no Napoli fans, who were not permitted to attend the event.
Neither side scored in the first half, despite a plethora of chances. Alfredo Morelos and James Tavernier were unable to hit the target from excellent shooting positions, while Scott Arfield was foiled by Alex Meret, who made a remarkable save on the powerful strike from outside the area.
Meanwhile, Piotr Zielinski struck outside of the post and Giovanni Simeone was just barely stopped by Allan McGregor after getting behind the Rangers back line.
The second half was full of drama, with Napoli being awarded three penalty kicks in the span of eight minutes. Ten minutes after the restart, Simeone was fouled in the area by James Sands, who was dismissed after receiving his second caution of the match. Zielinski was stopped by McGregor, but the penalty was retaken after Politano and Tavernier both encroached the area during the kick. However, Zielinski’s second effort, in the same direction, was stopped by McGregor as well.
Eight minutes later, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s shot was blocked by the hand of Borna Barisic in the area. This time Politano stepped up to the spot and though McGregor guessed correctly again, the shot was too well-struck to stop.
With the man advantage, Napoli took control of the match, adding two goals in the final five minutes. Giacomo Raspadori completed a well-worked team move, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to score his first ever goal in the UEFA Champions League.
Moments later, Tanguy Ndombele scored his first goal in a Napoli shirt after Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa picked the pocket of Glen Kamara in the Rangers half.
With the 0-3 win and Liverpool’s defeat of Ajax on Tuesday, Napoli moved to the top of Group A. The Champions League will resume in early October, as Napoli visit the Netherlands to take on Dutch champions AFC Ajax.
