Here are the talking points from Estadio da Luz…

Still in it

First leg knockout ties can often be cagey affairs, but with both teams suffering gut-wrenching defeats at the weekend, the impetus was on returning to winning ways.

Rangers struck first through Lawrence, who appears to have put his early injury setbacks behind him to become a pivotal figure in Clement’s squad.

The Scottish Premiership leaders did find themselves on the back foot for large parts but picked their moments to penetrate, and when they did you could sense the nervousness, not just in the Benfica backline but from the stands too.

Many teams could crumble and look vulnerable having just had a VAR penalty award go against them. Rangers felt the opposite effect as they retaliated immediately. A clear sign that they can stay laser-focused even in moments of potential adversity.

Busy Butland

The traffic was continuously driving towards the Rangers stopper from the first whistle. Yet little seemed to faze Jack Butland.

He made a terrific double save on 14 minutes as Benfica looked certain to score. Argentina superstar Di Maria looked like the hosts most likely goal source and it was the 36-year-old that notched the equaliser from 12-yards – sending Butland the wrong way with a clever penalty.

David Neres sliced the ball wide from close range midway through the second half causing another minor scare.

Then the English goalkeeper was helpless for Benfica’s second goal – with Goldson needlessly nodding Di Maria’s free-kick into his own net.

It’s so often fine margins in football, especially when dining among Europe’s elite, and Rangers will be well aware of that. They will have the added bonus of the roaring Ibrox crowd for the second leg next Thursday and that could make all the difference.

Clinical Gers

Eyebrows were raised when Clement included both Silva and Cyriel Dessers in his starting line-up – but you could argue it was effective at times.

The high-profile Wolves loanee looked hungry to impress throughout and didn’t shy away from dropping deep to help his teammates and provided the pinpoint cross to tee up Sterling in first half stoppage time. The unselfishness on show not just from Silva but from majority of those in blue and white was there to be seen.

They were made to work hard for the draw but with two goals from two clear-cut chances, Rangers will leave the Portuguese capital relatively pleased with their showing. Benfica on the other hand amassed 24 shots at goal and couldn’t show their clinical touch.