Ilias Chair scores twice as QPR complete comeback win at Portsmouth

Ilias Chair scored twice as Queens Park Rangers recovered from an early setback to beat Portsmouth 3-1 at Fratton Park and open their Championship campaign with an impressive away victory.

Portsmouth struck first after 15 minutes when Terry Devlin was given space outside the penalty area and drove a powerful effort beyond Pierce Charles. The goal gave the hosts an early advantage, but QPR’s response was decisive.

Chair brought Rangers level in the 33rd minute, reacting quickly as Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid hesitated while dealing with a ball into the area. The Moroccan got there first and directed the ball beyond the goalkeeper to change the momentum of the contest.

Seven minutes later, QPR had completed the turnaround.

Koki Saito advanced from the left and found the net with a deflected effort from the edge of the box, rewarding a period in which Rangers had begun to play with greater authority after falling behind.

Chair then delivered the most accomplished moment of QPR’s first half.

In stoppage time, Amadou Mbengue sent a low ball across from the right and Chair met it with a controlled finish, lifting the ball over Schmid to give Rangers a 3-1 advantage before the interval.

There were no further goals after the break, leaving Chair’s first-half contribution as the defining factor in QPR’s opening-day win.

His performance also carried wider significance for Rangers. Chair has been at QPR since 2017 and has developed into one of the club’s longest-serving senior players. He signed a new long-term contract in January 2025, reinforcing his status as an important figure in the squad.

At his best, Chair gives QPR more than creativity between midfield and attack. His ability to receive in tight areas, change direction quickly and arrive in scoring positions makes him one of the players capable of deciding games when Rangers establish control in the final third.

At Portsmouth, that influence was clear.

QPR were behind and facing a difficult opening afternoon away from home, but three goals in the final 13 minutes of the first half completely changed the contest. Chair was responsible for two of them and provided the individual quality that turned a potentially uncomfortable start into three points.

One result will not define QPR’s season, but an away comeback on the opening weekend provides an encouraging foundation.

For Chair, two goals at Fratton Park offered an even stronger statement: Rangers’ most established attacking creator has begun the new Championship campaign by making an immediate difference.