Dortmund's Dan-Axel Zagadou (center) jumps for the ball during the Europa League Play-off, 1st leg soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Rangers in Dortmund, Germany, Feb 17, 2022. (MARTIN MEISSNER / AP)

BERLIN - Borussia Dortmund suffered a surprising defeat on home soil after goals from James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and John Lundstram helped Glasgow Rangers secure a 4-2 away victory at the Europa League play-offs on Thursday.

The Scottish champions caught a bright start as Borna Barisic forced Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into action from a tight angle with only 10 minutes gone.

Rangers gained momentum and shocked Dortmund after making it two with four minutes remaining in the first half. Joe Aribo flicked on a corner kick to the far post where Morelos tapped home an easy finish

Five minutes later, Dortmund had the chance to stun the visitors, but Dan-Axel Zagadou couldn't beat Rangers' custodian Allan McGregor from five meters despite all time and space following a corner.

Zagadou remained in the thick of things as his handball inside the box allowed Tavernier to break the deadlock from the penalty spot into the top right corner with 38 minutes into the game.

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Rangers gained momentum and shocked Dortmund after making it two with four minutes remaining in the first half. Joe Aribo flicked on a corner kick to the far post where Morelos tapped home an easy finish.

After the restart, the visitors from Glasgow started where they left off and punished uninspired Dortmund with the 3-0 as Ryan Kent square ball into the area found Lundstram, who made no mistake and drilled the ball into the top right angle in the 49th minute.

Rangers' John Lundstram (left) celebrates with the team after he scored his side's 4th goal during the Europa League Play-off, 1st leg soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Rangers in Dortmund, Germany, Feb 17, 2022. (MARTIN MEISSNER / AP)

Dortmund eventually responded two minutes later when Raphael Guerreiro collected a loose ball inside Glasgow's box before setting up for Jude Bellingham, whose left-footed hammer reduced the arrears.

However, things went from bad to worse for the hosts as Zagadou deflected Morelos' shot into the wrong goal to make it 4-1 for Rangers in the 54th minute.

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Dortmund's Guerreiro was able to halve the deficit with a long-range effort, but Rangers still take a two-goal advantage into the second leg at Ibrox Stadium as they kept the "BVB" at arms length for the remainder of the game.

"We conceded four goals after unnecessarily losing the ball. I think we know what our problem is. We're playing an awful lot of nonsensical football, a lot of illogical football and making our opponents so strong," said veteran Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.