Club Brugge storm into the UEFA Champions League League Phase with a commanding 6–0 win over Rangers, completing a dominant 7–0 aggregate victory in the play-off round. Backed by a good first-leg result in Glasgow, Club wasted no time asserting their dominance in front of a packed Jan Breydel Stadium. Just five minutes in, Nicolo Tresoldi opened the scoring with a close-range header from a Seys cross, and Rangers’ hopes took a further blow minutes later when Aarons saw red. Vanaken, Seys (2) and Stanković gave Club a comfortable 5-0 lead at half-time. After the break Tzolis added one more for Club.
Last weekend’s league match against Westerlo was postponed, allowing Club to prepare thoroughly for the return fixture against Rangers. Following the convincing result in the first leg, coach Hayen had little reason to tinker with his starting XI. Only one forced change was made: the injured Vermant was replaced by Tresoldi. He led the line alongside Forbs and Tzolis. Rangers made two changes from their home leg, with Raskin and Diomandé dropping to the bench in favour of Aasgaard and Cameron.
It was the visitors from Glasgow who took the early initiative, but Club Brugge responded clinically. Just five minutes in, Seys found space to deliver a cross, which was met by Tresoldi in the box. The striker made no mistake and headed the ball past Butland to give Club the lead. Rangers struggled to respond to the early blow, and their only reply was a free-kick that flew high over the bar. Moments later, the night got even worse for the Scottish side. Tzolis was sent through on goal and brought down by Aarons, who was the last man. Referee Zwayer had no hesitation in showing a red card, reducing Rangers to ten men with barely ten minutes played.
Club looked eager to make their advantage count, with Forbs threatening shortly after, though the Portuguese winger couldn’t find the target. Just after the 15-minute mark, Tzolis nearly doubled the lead himself after a smooth combination play, but his effort was denied by Butland. Moments later, the Greek winger struck a powerful shot that beat the Rangers keeper but this time, the crossbar came to the rescue.
Club remained in total control and continued to pick their moments. From a corner, Mechele’s header lacked the power to trouble Butland. Around the half-hour mark, Stanković tried his luck from distance, first sending the ball over, then forcing Butland into a fine save with a shot aimed at the top corner. It was only a matter of time. From the resulting corner, Tzolis delivered a perfect cross for captain Vanaken, who headed home from close range to make it 2–0. Jan Breydel roared in delight, and Brugge clearly weren’t done yet. After another corner, Tresoldi nearly scored again, but his close-range effort was deflected just wide.
The score could’ve been even higher, as Vanaken struck the crossbar with a superb volley a few minutes later. Brugge’s threat from set pieces continued, and Mechele went close again with another header that missed by inches. The 2–0 scoreline didn’t last long, as Seys stepped up again. A low cross from Sabbe evaded everyone in the box, but Seys was waiting at the far post. His first attempt was saved by Butland, but the rebound fell kindly and he buried it to make it 3–0.
Just when it looked like we’d head into the break at 3–0, Club struck twice more in added time. Onyedika picked out Seys in the box with a clever pass, and the winger blasted it past Butland for his second of the evening. Moments later, Vanaken floated a lovely ball into the area, where Stanković found himself completely unmarked and headed in the fifth. Club headed into the dressing room with a standing ovation from the Bruges faithful.
The second half began with several changes. For Club, Forbs was given a rest and replaced by Diakhon. Rangers made a triple substitution, bringing on Raskin, Diomandé, and Curtis for Aasgaard, Rothwell, and Gassama. It made little difference. Club picked up right where they left off. Five minutes after the restart, a slick move involving Stanković and Tresoldi ended at the feet of Tzolis, who calmly slotted the ball into the far corner to make it six.
Five minutes later, Club came close to a seventh. Vanaken and Tresoldi both had efforts blocked from close range, and Onyedika eventually fired just wide. Rangers finally created a half-chance around the hour mark, when Danilo attempted an acrobatic bicycle kick, but his effort landed safely in the arms of Mignolet. Club continued to rotate, with Nilsson coming on and immediately threatening with a header from a Siquet cross, though he was well challenged, allowing Butland to save comfortably.
Butland was tested again midway through the second half, when Stanković unleashed another long-range effort. This time, the shot was straight at the keeper, who punched it away. Moments later, young Furo was handed his debut for Club and nearly marked it with a goal. Siquet delivered a sharp cross, but Furo couldn’t quite bring it under control to get a clean shot off.
The substitutes made their mark, particularly Diakhon, who frequently used his pace to beat defenders on the right. Despite creating several openings, Nilsson couldn’t find the finishing touch to add a seventh.
No additional time was added, and the match ended in a dream night for Club Brugge. With a ruthless 6–0 home win, Club cruise past Rangers and qualify for the League Phase of the UEFA Champions League for the second season in a row.
UEFA Champions League – Play-offs (return)
Attendance: 29.042 – Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Felix Zwayer (DUI)
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Kyriani Sabbe (72’ Lynnt Audoor), Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys (58’ Hugo Siquet) – Aleksandar Stanković, Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken – Carlos Forbs (46’ Mamadou Diakhon), Nicolò Tresoldi (68’ Kaye Furo), Christos Tzolis (58’ Gustaf Nilsson).
Bank: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Zaid Romero, Bjorn Meijer, Hugo Siquet, Ludovit Reis, Hugo Vetlesen, Cisse Sandra, Lynnt Audoor, Mamadou Diakhon, Shandre Campbell, Michał Skóraś, Kaye Furo, Gustaf Nilsson.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Rangers FC: Jack Butland – Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, John Souttar, Jayden Meghoma – Lyall Cameron, Thelo Aasgaard (46’ Nicolas Raskin), Joe Rothwell (46’ Mohamed Diomandé) – Oliver Antman (12’ James Tavernier), Danilo Pereira Da Silva (58’ Connor Barron), Djeidi Gassama (46’ Findlay Curtis).
Bank: Liam Kelly, Kieran Wright, James Tavernier, Connor Barron, Cyriel Dessers, Mohamed Diomandé, Emmanuel Fernandez, Nicolas Raskin, Mikey Moore, Joshua Gentles, Findlay Curtis, Alexander Hutton.
Coach: Russell Martin.
Yellow cards: Meghoma, Nilsson
Red cards: Aarons
Goals: 5’ Tresoldi (1-0), 32’ Vanaken (2-0), 41’ Seys (3-0), 45’ Seys (4-0), 45+2’ Stanković (5-0), 50’ Tzolis (6-0)