Rangers heartache as Zenit win UEFA Cup

MANCHESTER, England (CNN) -- Rangers' quest for a first European trophy in 36 years ended in heartbreak as Zenit St Petersburg claimed Russia's second UEFA Cup in the space of four years with a 2-0 win in Wednesday's final.

The trophy was effectively settled 18 minutes from time, when midfielder Igor Denisov combined smoothly with playmaker Andrei Arshavin before slotting home Zenit's opening goal.

Konstantin Zyrianov added a second in stoppage time to make sure Zenit emulated the achievement of 2005 winners CSKA Moscow and condemned the tens of thousands of Rangers supporters who had descended on Manchester to a miserable journey back to Scotland.

Despite the official allocation being far less, around 30,000 Rangers fans managed to find their way inside the City of Manchester Stadium with around 100,000 more in fan zones around the city and a packed-out beamback party taking place back at Ibrox.

But the night ended in disappointment for the Glasgow giants, just as it had done for city rivals Celtic at this stage back in 2003, when they lost to Jose Mourinho's Porto in the final.

Russian champions Zenit, coached by former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat, had thrashed Bayern Munich in the semifinals and were favorites to defeat a gallant Rangers side who were attempting to win an historic quadruple of trophies this season.

Rangers had embarked on an epic European journey, playing 18 games to reach Manchester, but had ridden their luck on occasions by defending stoicly against technically-better opponents.

Walter Smith's side were always going to have to rely on their defensive expertise again, and so it proved early on when Zenit's star man Andrei Arshavin was released through on goal, only to pull his shot wide of the upright and ripple the side-netting.

Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander was then called into action when Brahim Hemdani lost possession just outside the box and the ball broke to Aleksandr Anyukov whose smart shot was initially fumbled and then held by Alexander.

With Rangers doing little to trouble Vyacheslav Malafeev in the Zenit goal, the Russians were doing all the pressing and Zyrianov screwed wide of the near post after being set up for the shot by Roman Shirokov.

Steven Whittaker's header over the crossbar from Steven Davis' cross failed to worry the Zenit goalkeeper before striker Jean-Claude Darcheville was tripped by Denisov and Rangers were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area.

It was a decent chance but Kevin Thomson's effort failed to make it past a wall of white jerseys after a tense build-up to the shot.

Kirk Broadfoot then appeared to handle in the box from an Arshavin cross seconds before the half-time whistle but no penalty was forthcoming from Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt.

Rangers had a penalty shout of their own dismissed shortly after the restart. Darcheville threatened first of all at the near post and was denied by Malafeev before captain Barry Ferguson claimed his rebound shot in front of goal was handled by Denisov.

There was then drama at the other end when Alexander raced out of his box to close down Arshavin but the Zenit man rounded the goalkeeper only to look on as his shot was nodded off the line by Sasa Papac.

When the breakthrough came after 72 minutes, Arshavin was instrumental in the opening goal, playing a one-two with Denisov who raced into the box before slotting home from six meters out, leaving Alexander with no chance.

Zyrianov almost doubled the advantage within a few minutes when his shot struck the left post with Alexander beaten.

Darcheville and Novo both squandered late chances to force the game into extra-time before Zyrianov tapped home from close range in the final minute to give Zenit their first European trophy.

Rangers manager Smith hailed his side's "terrific" campaign after they came up short in the final.

"Over the tournament we've worked very hard to get to the final -- there was not that much in it overall and we had a few chances ourselves. Zenit looked the more offensive team but obviously at this stage I'm disappointed to have lost.

"We've had a terrific tournament -- it doesn't take away the disappointment but in the end I can have no complaints. You don't get the opportunity very often to get to European finals and when you do it's very disappointing to lose," added Smith.