Rangers had a chance to regain their lead but Morelos prioritised sportsmanship
Alfredo Morelos often finds himself at the centre of controversy on the pitch, but on Thursday night he was being showered with praise for a sporting gesture.
The Colombian had given Rangers the lead in their Europa League second leg after nine minutes against Royal Antwerp at Ibrox, before the visitors equalised just after the half-hour mark.
In the closing moments of the first half, Morelos had the ball deep in Antwerp’s half with a chance appearing to be on. Instead of driving at goal or picking out a team-mate, the 24-year-old abruptly stopped in his tracks.
Defender Jérémy Pierre Gelin went down injured on the touchline, and Morelos sportingly decided not to continue.
One observer impressed by the Rangers star’s choice was Romelu Lukaku.
The former Manchester United striker, who joined Inter Milan for £74m, was watching his younger brother Jordan play in midfield for the Belgian side.
He tweeted: “Fair play to Morelos from Glasgow Rangers. Through on goal and stopping for injury of the opponent…great sportsmanship.”
BT Sport co-commentator Stephen Craigan also praised the Rangers striker, saying: “He comes in for criticism Alfredo Morelos, but you’ve got to say sportsmanship, that is out of the top drawer.
“He could easily have gone for goal or passed someone else in, so you’ve got to hold up your hand and say ‘Credit Alfredo Morelos’.
“Not too sure his manager will be pleased with him.”
Substitute Nathan Patterson scored within seconds of the restart, before Morelos turned provider and set up Ryan Kent to make it 3-1 on the night after 55 minutes.
Antwerp pulled another back two minutes later, but Steven Gerrard’s men scored again 12 minutes from time after Morelos won a penalty.
Borna Barisic stepped up to make it 4-2, and Morelos’ replacement Cedric Itten sealed a 5-2 victory and 9-5 aggregate win with another penalty during injury time.
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