Early Brugge goals hand Rangers Champions League play-off defeat | OneFootball

Rangers' chances of sealing a spot in the 2025/26 Champions League were dealt a huge blow following a 3-1 home defeat against Club Brugge in the play-off first leg.

Scorers: Danilo 50; Vermant 3', Spileers 7, Mechele 20'

Rangers gifted Club Brugge an early opener after Nasser Djiga and John Souttar failed to deal with a long ball forward, allowing Romeo Vermant to race through and chip a deft finish over Jack Butland.

Brugge added a quick second inside the opening 10 minutes as Jorne Spileers was left free inside the Rangers area to volley low into the net from a Christos Tzolis corner.

The Belgian side remained on top and struck a third on the 20-minute mark when Mechele's half volley from outside the area beat Butland and nestled into the corner.

Rangers went close to pulling a goal back later in the half, but Djeidi Gassama's cut inside and shot curled just past the post.

The Gers pulled a goal back early into the second half, with Danilo sliding in to apply the finish to Jayden Meghoma's low cross into the six-yard box.

Djeidi Gassama thought he'd added a second for Rangers with 10 minutes remaining by firing in from close range, only for the effort to be ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up.

Russell Martin's side head to Brugge in the second leg next Wednesday and the Glasgow outfit will have to overcome the Belgian side, who have now won five consecutive matches in all competitions.

📸 Ian MacNicol - 2025 Getty Images