<figure id="attachment_3127548" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3127548" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3127548" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/0e4f1ff5-rangers-1.jpg" alt="Rangers" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3127548" class="wp-caption-text">Rangers’ Djeidi Gassama (right) slots past Viktoria Plzen’s goalkeeper to net the opener at Ibrox stadium. (Rangers pic)</figcaption></figure>
GLASGOW: Rangers took a step closer to the Champions League proper by beating Czech side Viktoria Plzen 3-0 in their third round qualification first leg tie on Tuesday.
A Djeidi Gassama brace either side of a Cyriel Dessers spot-kick at Ibrox put Rangers firmly in control ahead of next week&#8217;s return fixture in the Czech Republic.
The winners of the tie will face either Austria&#8217;s Red Bull Salzburg or Belgium&#8217;s Club Brugge in the play-off for a spot in the league phase.
The two goalscorers on the night combined for the hosts&#8217; opener in the 15th minute as Dessers laid the ball off to Gassama before the Frenchman took a touch and finished coolly.
Dessers then doubled Rangers&#8217; advantage on the stroke of half-time by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards after new signing Oliver Antman went down in the box under Matej Vydra&#8217;s challenge.
Gassama gave Rangers the cushion they desired six minutes after the interval as he nodded in his fourth goal in qualifying this campaign.
Elsewhere, Swedes Malmo played out a goalless stalemate at home to Copenhagen.
Wednesday&#8217;s qualification ties will see Salzburg host Brugge, while Portugal&#8217;s Benfica travel to Ligue 1 outfit Nice and Feyenoord of the Netherlands play Jose Mourinho&#8217;s Fenerbahce.

MatchPoint Times

Rangers move closer to Champions League qualification with win over Plzen

The Scottish side will face either Red Bull Salzburg or Club Brugge in the play-off for a spot in the league phase.

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