The first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round between Rangers and Viktoria Plzeň was played on August 5, 2025, at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, ending in a 0-0 draw[6][7]. The match was tightly contested, with both teams unable to break the deadlock and neither side managing to gain an advantage ahead of the second leg[6].
The encounter marks increased pressure on new Rangers head coach Russell Martin, following fan dissatisfaction with previous performances and concerns about the team’s midfield balance. Despite being only three games into his tenure, Martin faces scrutiny after a tough outing against Motherwell and a mixed display versus Panathinaikos in the previous round[6].
The statistical outlook and pre-match analysis had predicted a closely fought match, suggesting a possible 2-2 draw, which underscores how balanced these sides appear at this stage of qualification[4]. Rangers’ recent head-to-head record shows one win in their last five meetings with Viktoria Plzeň, matching their solid but unspectacular form in European competition[5].
The second leg is scheduled for August 12, 2025, in the Czech Republic, where both teams will look to secure their place in the next round of Champions League qualification[1].
References
- [1] Viktoria Plzen vs. Rangers (Aug 12, 2025) Live Score – ESPN
- [4] Rangers vs Viktoria Plzen Prediction, Stats, H2H – 05 Aug 2025 – Forebet
- [5] Rangers vs FC Viktoria Plzen Head to Head History – AiScore
- [6] Live Commentary – Rangers vs Plzen | 05.08.2025 – Sky Sports
- [7] Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň | UEFA Champions League 2025/26 – UEFA.com