Club Brugge delivered a devastating performance to dismantle Rangers 6-0 in European competition, marking one of the Scottish side’s most humiliating continental defeats.
The match turned disastrous early when Rangers defender Max Aarons received a straight red card for pulling back an opponent, leaving his team to play most of the game with ten men. The Belgian side capitalized immediately, with Nicolo Tresoldi opening the scoring in the fifth minute.
What followed was a systematic dismantling of the Scottish visitors. Veteran midfielder Hans Vanaken doubled the advantage before defender Joaquin Seys added two more goals before halftime. The first-half scoring was completed by Aleksandar Stanković’s header, sending the teams to the break with Brugge leading 5-0.
The second half brought no respite for the beleaguered Rangers side. Christos Tzolis, who had been dangerous throughout, finally got on the scoresheet with the sixth goal, capitalizing on clever build-up play.
The manager acknowledged the performance was unacceptable, stating his team must “accept the pain, accept the humiliation, accept the hurt and then use it as fuel.” He apologized to traveling supporters and acknowledged the team lacks the necessary harmony and care for each other that successful sides require.
This result equals some of Rangers’ heaviest European defeats in their history, matching a 6-0 loss to Real Madrid in 1960 and a 7-1 defeat to Liverpool more recently. The performance raises serious questions about the team’s direction as they prepare for their next domestic challenge.
