UEFA Champions League Qualifying

Rangers vs Viktoria Plzen, 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Qualifying, Third Round

· 1st Leg
  • 15': Djeidi Gassama
  • 45': Cyriel Dessers (P)
  • 51': Djeidi Gassama
FT
3 - 0
1st Leg

Dominant Rangers take big step toward UCL playoff

Russell Martin's bold team selection paid off as Rangers battered Viktoria Plzen 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifier.

Match Commentary

  • 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
  • 0': First Half begins.
  • 15': Goal! Rangers 1, Viktoria Plzen 0. Djeidi Gassama (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Cyriel Dessers.
  • 19': Svetozar Markovic (Viktoria Plzen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 31': Nicolas Raskin (Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
  • 41': Jefté (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 45': Fourth official has announced 2 minutes of added time.
  • 45': Goal! Rangers 2, Viktoria Plzen 0. Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
  • 45'+3': First Half ends, Rangers 2, Viktoria Plzen 0.
  • 45': Second Half begins Rangers 2, Viktoria Plzen 0.
  • 45': Substitution, Viktoria Plzen. Matej Valenta replaces Jirí Panos.
  • 51': Goal! Rangers 3, Viktoria Plzen 0. Djeidi Gassama (Rangers) header from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oliver Antman.
  • 56': Substitution, Viktoria Plzen. Denis Visinsky replaces Tomás Ladra.
  • 57': Substitution, Viktoria Plzen. Tom Sloncík replaces Matej Vydra.
  • 64': Substitution, Rangers. Nicolas Raskin replaces Joe Rothwell.
  • 65': Substitution, Viktoria Plzen. Prince Adu replaces Rafiu Durosinmi.
  • 74': Substitution, Rangers. Connor Barron replaces Max Aarons.
  • 74': Substitution, Rangers. Danilo replaces Cyriel Dessers.
  • 74': Substitution, Rangers. James Tavernier replaces Lyall Cameron.
  • 85': Substitution, Rangers. Findlay Curtis replaces Oliver Antman.
  • 87': Matej Valenta (Viktoria Plzen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 87': Substitution, Viktoria Plzen. Merchas Doski replaces Karel Spácil.
  • 90': Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
  • 90'+5': Second Half ends, Rangers 3, Viktoria Plzen 0.
  • 0': Match ends, Rangers 3, Viktoria Plzen 0.

Game Information

Competition: UEFA Champions League Qualifying

Venue: Ibrox Stadium
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Attendance: 45,730

Line-Ups

RAN Rangers (4-3-3)

No. Name
1 Jack Butland (GK)
5 John Souttar
24 Nasser Djiga
22 Jefté Yellow Card
3 Max Aarons
6 Joe Rothwell
16 Lyall Cameron
10 Mohammed Diomande
9 Cyriel Dessers
23 Djeidi Gassama
18 Oliver Antman

PLZ Viktoria Plzen (3-5-2)

No. Name
44 Florian Wiegele (GK)
3 Svetozar Markovic Yellow Card
21 Vaclav Jemelka
40 Sampson Dweh
18 Tomás Ladra
20 Jirí Panos
6 Lukás Cerv
5 Karel Spácil
99 Amar Memic
17 Rafiu Durosinmi
11 Matej Vydra

UCL Qualifying News

Should Mo Salah remain on the bench for Liverpool right now?
Should Mo Salah remain on the bench for Liverpool right now?

Steve Nicol and Shaka Hislop debate Liverpool's starting XI after Mo Salah was dropped to the bench against West Ham.

Onuoha sees Kompany as Man City's answer to Arteta at Arsenal
Onuoha sees Kompany as Man City's answer to Arteta at Arsenal

Nedum Onuoha explains how the Manchester City fans would react to Vincent Kompany being the manager to take over from Pep Guardiola in the future.

Gab and Juls rate Ruben Amorim's first year at Man United
Gab and Juls rate Ruben Amorim's first year at Man United

Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens look back on the first 12 months of Ruben Amorim's tenure as Manchester United manager.

Was Manchester United the problem for Rasmus Højlund?
Was Manchester United the problem for Rasmus Højlund?

Steve Nicol shows empathy for Rasmus Hojlund and says he was unfairly criticized during his time at Man United.

Would Erling Haaland be as good in past eras of the Premier League?
Would Erling Haaland be as good in past eras of the Premier League?

The ESPN FC crew get into a heated debate over where Haaland ranks among the greatest strikers in Premier League history.