Rangers suffered Champions League heartache in Germany as Ciprian Marica's late goal gave Stuttgart a thrilling 3-2 victory in Group E.

The Gers took the lead through sub Charlie Adam's opener on 27, which was cancelled out by Cacau on the stroke of half-time.

It was then the hosts' turn to take the lead when Pavel Pardo's low drive on 62 found its way past goalkeeper Allan McGregor - but Barry Ferguson calmy placed an equaliser into the back of the net eight minutes later.

The visitors looked set to earn a hard-fought point - but their hearts were broken five minutes from time when Marica cheekily flicked an effort past McGregor to give Stuttgart their first win of the group campaign.

Rangers had started the game well, with DaMarcus Beasley scuffing a shot at keeper Raphael Schafer and David Weir having a goalbound header hacked off the line by Ludovic Magnin.

Lee McCulloch had to be replaced by Adam, whose first touch ended in the back of the net after he bundled in Carlos Cuellar's header from a corner.

Cacau drew the hosts level on 45, though, backheeling a shot from Thomas Hitzlsperger into the net.

Walter Smith's woes were doubled on 62 when Pardo made it 2-1 - but sub Steven Naismith set up a leveller, intercepting a throw-out by Schafer and then crossing for Ferguson to keep his cool and sidefoot the ball home.

Marica then latched on to Magnin's late cross - and it means Rangers must not be beaten by Lyon at Ibrox on December 12 to ensure qualification to the last 16 of the competition.

Lyon 2-2 Barcelona

Barcelona booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after earning a 2-2 draw with Lyon at the Stade Gerland.

Andres Iniesta opened the scoring after a fine counter-attack in just the third minute, though a Juninho free-kick from distance flew through a crowd of bodies in the area and past the flat-footed Victor Valdes just four minutes later.

Yaya Toure sent a fierce shot fizzing over the bar midway through the half for Barcelona, while Fabio Santos fired straight at Valdes moments later after Gianluca Zambrotta had lost possession.

Though not quite at his brilliant best, Messi remained the biggest thorn in Lyon's side, and the little Argentinian was brought down in the area just before the hour mark after latching onto a neat pass from Bojan Krkic. Messi dusted himself down, and duly sent Remy Vercoutre the wrong way from the spot.

Lyon manager Alain Perrin replaced Fred with Kader Keita as Barcelona looked to kill the game with possession football, and the substitute threw his side a lifeline, charging into the box and drawing a reckless tackle from Eric Abidal. Juninho slammed the ball into the roof of the net to pull Lyon level.

Ronaldinho and Messi almost combined to play in Xavi in the final ten minutes with some breathtaking skill, though the Lyon defence held firm, and a win at Rangers in the final group game at Ibrox will see them through to the knockout stages of the competition.

MF & Sporting Life / Eurosport