Rangers Thrashed by Club Brugge as Benfica Ends Mourinho’s Champions League Hopes

Rangers crashed out of the Champions League play-offs in humiliating fashion on Wednesday, suffering a record-equalling 6-0 loss to Club Brugge that leaves manager Russell Martin under intense pressure. Meanwhile, Benfica edged past Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce to book their spot in the group stage.

Having lost 3-1 in the first leg at Ibrox, Rangers were already facing an uphill battle in Belgium — and things quickly went from bad to worse at the Jan Breydelstadion.

Club Brugge opened the scoring within five minutes through Nicolo Tresoldi, and Rangers’ night unraveled completely after Max Aarons was shown a straight red card in the eighth minute for denying Christos Tzolis a clear scoring chance.

The hosts ruthlessly capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Hans Vanaken heading in from a Tzolis corner before nearly adding a second with a stunning volley that hit the woodwork. Joaquin Seys then struck twice in quick succession, and Aleksandar Stankovic — son of former Inter Milan midfielder Dejan — made it 5-0 with a header in stoppage time.

Tzolis completed the rout early in the second half, sealing a 9-1 aggregate victory — matching Rangers’ heaviest-ever European defeat.

“We have to accept the pain, accept the humiliation,” Martin told TNT Sports post-match. “We have to heal and get stronger. We have to show a big response on Sunday.”

Rangers now drop into the Europa League and will face Celtic in a high-pressure Old Firm derby at Ibrox this weekend. Celtic, too, exited the Champions League this week, losing on penalties to Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty.

Benfica Edge Fenerbahce, Mourinho Misses Out

In Lisbon, Benfica secured a narrow 1-0 win over Fenerbahce to progress after a goalless draw in Istanbul last week. Turkish international Kerem Akturkoglu scored the decisive goal late in the first half, ending Mourinho’s hopes of leading the Turkish side to their first Champions League appearance since 2008/09.

It was a disappointing return to the Estadio da Luz for Mourinho, who had a brief stint as Benfica manager 25 years ago. Benfica, who reached the last 16 last season, will join Sporting CP in Thursday’s group stage draw, while Fenerbahce drop into the Europa League.

Copenhagen, Qarabag Also Advance

Elsewhere, FC Copenhagen secured a 2-0 win over Swiss champions Basel, with second-half goals from Andreas Cornelius and a Youssoufa Moukoko penalty sealing a 3-1 aggregate win.

Azerbaijani side Qarabag held off a late push from Hungary’s Ferencvaros to advance 5-4 on aggregate, despite a 3-2 loss in Baku. Leandro Andrade and Abdellah Zoubir scored for Qarabag, while Gabi Kanichowsky, Barnabas Varga (penalty), and Alex Toth netted for the visitors.