Rangers Cruise Past Plzeň in Champions League Qualifier

Rangers dominated Viktoria Plzeň 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League qualifier, with Djeidi Gassama scoring crucial goals.

Rangers extended their unbeaten record against Czech teams to four matches...

Rangers extended their unbeaten run, dating back to April, with a dominant 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League third qualifying round. Plzen initially absorbed Rangers' early pressure but were soon exposed by Oliver Antman's pace. Antman nearly set up Djeidi Gassama for an early goal with a near-perfect cross that fell just short.

Rangers' warning signs were ignored by Plzeň, and four minutes later, Djeidi Gassama's brilliant playmaking skills paid off. He took out three opponents with a single pass, creating space for Cyriel Dessers to play a one-two. Dessers swiftly delivered, and Gassama seized the chance, bending the ball past Plzeň goalkeeper Florian Wiegele to score the opening goal.

Plzeň had a promising moment when Matej Vydra shaped to score, but Nasser Djiga made a crucial block to deny them. As the first half progressed, Plzeň's attacks became increasingly long-ball reliant, whereas Rangers' threat from Dessers and Antman continued to trouble them. Antman's surging run before halftime earned him a foul from Vydra, highlighting the Rangers duo's potency.

Referee Clement Turpin had no choice but to award a penalty, and Cyriel Dessers stepped up to confidently dispatch it, sending Florian Wiegele the wrong way.

Mohamed Diomande's curling shot from the edge of the box hit the bar on 48 minutes, but Rangers maintained their momentum into the second half. Two minutes later, Oliver Antman's pinpoint cross was met by Djeidi Gassama, who headed home with ease, doubling Rangers' lead.

With more than half an hour to play, Plzen already looked a beaten side, though Martin brought on Nicolas Raskin for Joe Rothwell in order to freshen up a Rangers side that understandably took their foot off the pedal after the third goal.

Full-Time: Rangers 3-0 FC Viktoria Plzeň | #UCL

👏 Three goals at Ibrox in tonight’s first-leg victory. pic.twitter.com/ABmwVoN9SY

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 5, 2025

As the game entered the final stages, scrappy play from both teams earned a broadside from their respective managers before Rangers upped the tempo once more with 10 minutes to play.

Amar Memic's long-range shot was on target, but Jack Butland made an easy save to preserve his clean sheet. Djeidi Gassama remained energetic and nearly scored his third goal, but was substituted along with Oliver Antman to a standing ovation from the crowd.

🎙️ Oliver Antman spoke to @RangersTV after tonight’s 3-0 victory at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/ZfgogIQg6b

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 5, 2025

Rangers extended their unbeaten record against Czech teams to four matches (W3 D1). Meanwhile, Plzeň suffered their first loss to a Scottish side in European competition, leaving them with a daunting task to overturn the 3-0 deficit in the return leg. Despite the odds, Champions League history shows that comebacks are possible, but Plzeň face a tough challenge ahead.