Football

Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen UEFA Champions League Third-round Qualifier Djeidi Gassama

Rangers moved a step closer to reaching the Champions League proper with a commanding 3-0 victory over Czech side Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of their third-round qualifier at Ibrox on Tuesday. Djeidi Gassama netted twice, either side of a Cyriel Dessers penalty, to give the Scottish side a firm grip on the tie ahead of next week’s return leg in the Czech Republic. The duo combined for the opening goal in the 15th minute, with Dessers setting up Gassama, who calmly slotted home after a smart touch. The winner of this tie will go on to face either Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg or Belgium’s Club Brugge in the play-off round for a place in the Champions League league phase.

Britain Soccer Champions League Qualification Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen_Oliver Antman
UEFA Champions League Third-round Qualifier: Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen | Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA via AP

Rangers' Oliver Antman, left, gets past Viktoria Plzen Karel Spacil during the Champions League third qualifying round first leg soccer match between Rangers and Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland.

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Britain Soccer Champions League Qualification Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen_Cyriel Dessers
UEFA Champions League Third-round Qualifier: Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen | Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA via AP

Rangers' Cyriel Dessers celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Champions League third qualifying round first leg soccer match between Rangers and Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland.

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Britain Soccer Champions League Qualification Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen_Djeidi Gassama
UEFA Champions League Third-round Qualifier: Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen | Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA via AP

Viktoria Plzen Amar Memic, center, and Rangers' Djeidi Gassama battle for the ball during the Champions League third qualifying round first leg soccer match between Rangers and Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland.

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Britain Soccer Champions League Qualification Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen_Tom Sloncik
UEFA Champions League Third-round Qualifier: Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen | Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA via AP

Viktoria Plzen's Tom Sloncik has a shot from a free kick during the Champions League third qualifying round first leg soccer match between Rangers and Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland.

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Britain Soccer Champions League Qualification Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen_Djeidi Gassama
UEFA Champions League Third-round Qualifier: Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen | Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA via AP

Rangers' Djeidi Gassama celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Champions League third qualifying round first leg soccer match between Rangers and Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland.

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Britain Soccer Champions League Qualification Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen_Djeidi Gassama
UEFA Champions League Third-round Qualifier: Rangers Vs Viktoria Plzen | Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA via AP

Rangers' Djeidi Gassama scores their side's first goal of the game during the Champions League third qualifying round first leg soccer match between Rangers and Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland.

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