Club Brugge humiliated Rangers with a 6-0 victory in the Champions League qualifier, resulting in a 9-1 aggregate score. Max Aarons’ early red card compounded Rangers’ woes, while Brugge’s clinical finishing sealed their place in the competition. Elsewhere, Fenerbahce narrowly missed out, Copenhagen secured their spot, and Qarabag also progressed.
Club Brugge delivered a stunning performance, dismantling Rangers 6-0 in the second leg of their Champions League play-off qualifier. The Belgian side's dominant display resulted in a 9-1 aggregate victory, extinguishing Rangers' hopes of reaching the tournament proper.
The match, played at the Jan Breydelstadion, quickly turned into a nightmare for Rangers. Already trailing after a 3-1 defeat in the first leg, their task became insurmountable when Max Aarons received a red card in the eighth minute. The young defender was sent off for dragging down Christos Tzolis, a decision that further compounded Rangers' woes.
Before the red card, Nicolo Tresoldi had already settled any home nerves by scoring a diving header past Rangers' goalkeeper Jack Butland. The early goal and subsequent dismissal left Rangers reeling, struggling to contain Brugge's relentless attacks. The home side capitalized on their numerical advantage, dictating the tempo and creating numerous scoring opportunities.
Hans Vanaken extended Brugge's lead with a powerful header just after the half-hour mark. However, the real damage occurred at the end of the first half, as Brugge scored three goals in a remarkable six-minute spell. Joaquin Seys grabbed a four-minute brace, first pouncing on a rebound before unleashing a stunning volley. Aleksandar Stankovic then added another goal in stoppage time, leaving Rangers utterly shell-shocked.
With a commanding lead, Brugge eased off slightly in the second half, but they still managed to add another goal. Tzolis, who had been instrumental in winning the penalty, finally got on the scoresheet himself, squeezing through the Rangers' defense to make it 6-0.
The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Rangers, who had hoped to make a significant impact in the Champions League. The heavy loss also piled further pressure on manager Russell Martin, with questions being raised about the team's defensive organization and overall performance.
Elsewhere in the Champions League qualifiers, Fenerbahce narrowly missed out on a return to the competition after a 1-0 defeat to Benfica. Kerem Akturkoglu's first-half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides. Despite Talisca's late red card, Fenerbahce were unable to mount a comeback, failing to register a single shot on target throughout the match.
Copenhagen secured their place in the Champions League group stage, following up their first-leg draw with Basel with a 2-0 victory in the second leg, winning 3-1 on aggregate. The Danish side displayed a solid performance, effectively containing Basel's attacks and taking their chances in front of goal.
Qarabag also progressed to the Champions League despite losing the second leg 3-2 to Ferencvaros. The Azerbaijan champions triumphed 5-4 on aggregate, showcasing their resilience and determination to compete among Europe's elite.
Play-offs
League phase draw #UCL | #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/M1cgpuZL3m— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 27, 2025
Data Debrief: Rangers' European Nightmare
The 6-0 thrashing marked only the third time in their European history that Rangers have suffered such a heavy defeat. The other instances were a 6-0 loss to Real Madrid in 1963 and a 7-1 defeat to Liverpool in 2022. The dismal performance at Jan Breydelstadion further intensified the scrutiny on manager Martin.
Brugge dominated Rangers, registering 32 shots, with 16 hitting the target, accumulating an expected goals (xG) of 4.2. In contrast, Rangers managed only one shot on target from their three attempts. The defeat highlighted Rangers' struggles this season, having won only three of their 10 matches in all competitions.
The result serves as a harsh wake-up call for Rangers, exposing their defensive vulnerabilities and lack of firepower. The team must regroup and address their shortcomings if they are to compete effectively in future European campaigns. For Club Brugge, the victory was a statement of intent, showcasing their potential to make a significant impact in the Champions League group stage.