It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. Rangers Football Club scraped out their first point of the 2025-2026 UEFA Europa League campaign on Thursday night, holding on for a 1-1 draw against Sporting Clube de Braga at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. The result, hard-fought and at times chaotic, leaves Rangers still rooted at the bottom of Group A — but alive. Captain James Tavernier, the 33-year-old Scottish right-back whose leadership has been tested more than ever this season, buried a penalty in the 42nd minute to give his side hope. Then, in the 78th, a costly defensive blunder gifted Sporting Clube de Braga an equalizer. The twist? Sporting Clube de Braga played over half the match with 10 men after Brazilian defender Vitor Carvalho was sent off in the 32nd minute. The final whistle didn’t bring relief — it brought questions.
First Point, But at What Cost?
Before kickoff, the pressure was suffocating. Rangers had lost their first two Europa League games — 0-2 to Real Betis and 0-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt — and fans were starting to wonder if this was the year the club’s European dreams finally fizzled. Rangers Football Club, under head coach Philippe Clement, needed a response. They got it — sort of. Tavernier’s penalty, won after a clumsy challenge by Sporting Clube de Braga’s Nuno Sequeira, was clinical. The ball left his boot with quiet authority, low and to the goalkeeper’s left. No celebration. Just a nod. The crowd roared, but the tension didn’t lift. Not yet.
Red Card Changes Everything
Then came the moment that shifted the game’s DNA. In the 32nd minute, Vitor Carvalho, the 28-year-old Brazilian center-back, tugged back Ryan Kent on the edge of the box. It was a professional foul — the kind managers often tolerate. But Carvalho had already been booked in the 22nd for a late challenge on John Lundstram. The referee, Dutch official Danny Makkelie, didn’t hesitate. Two yellows. Red. The 49,871 fans fell silent for a beat. Then, they erupted — not in joy, but in disbelief. How could a team that had already struggled to break down Rangers now be expected to hold on with 10 men?
The Mistake That Gave Them Hope
For 58 minutes, Sporting Clube de Braga defended with grit. They blocked shots. They cleared crosses. They even threatened on the counter. But in the 77th minute, everything unraveled. John Lundstram, the Scottish midfielder, played a simple back-pass to Connor Goldson, the 32-year-old English center-back. Goldson, under no pressure, miscontrolled it. The ball bounced awkwardly, and Ricardo Horta, the 30-year-old Portuguese forward, pounced. One touch to steady himself. Another to fire. 1-1. The goal wasn’t a masterpiece. It was a mistake — pure and simple. And it was enough. Sporting Clube de Braga had gone from hanging on to walking away with a point.
Numbers Don’t Lie — But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Statistically, Rangers dominated. 62% possession. 18 shots. Seven corners. They controlled the tempo, the space, the rhythm. But football isn’t played on spreadsheets. Sporting Clube de Braga had just four shots on target — but two of them mattered. The final whistle saw Rangers Football Club with one point from three games. Sporting Clube de Braga leads Group A with five. Eintracht Frankfurt sit second with four. Real Betis are third with three. The math is brutal: Rangers must win both remaining matches — against Betis in Seville and at home to Frankfurt — just to have a shot at second place. A draw won’t cut it anymore.
What Happens Next?
Vitor Carvalho will miss the December 12 fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt after his red card triggered a mandatory one-match suspension under UEFA’s disciplinary rules. That’s a blow for Braga, who now lose their most physical defender at a critical time. Meanwhile, Rangers Football Club face a domestic clash with Dundee United at Tannadice Park on December 1 — a game they can’t afford to drop points in, not with the league title still in play. Philippe Clement said after the match: "One point is better than none, but we must win the remaining matches to have qualification hopes." His tone wasn’t hopeful. It was urgent.
On the other side, Sporting Clube de Braga’s interim manager Artur Jorge was pragmatic: "Playing with 10 men for most of the game was difficult, but we showed resilience. The error gifted us the equalizer, which proved crucial for our standing." He didn’t celebrate. He acknowledged luck. And he’s right to. This wasn’t a performance to remember. It was a survival tactic executed just well enough.
History Is Watching
Rangers haven’t reached the Europa League knockout stages since 2023. Back then, they lost to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16. Since then, it’s been early exits and fading hopes. This season feels different — not because of the quality on display, but because of the stakes. The club’s identity is tied to European nights at Ibrox. When the stands are full and the lights are bright, this team is at its best. But when they’re desperate? When they’re fragile? That’s when cracks appear. The draw against Braga didn’t fix those cracks. It just hid them — for now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect Rangers’ chances of advancing in the Europa League?
Rangers now have just one point from three matches, leaving them in fourth place in Group A. To advance, they must win both remaining games — against Real Betis on December 12 and Eintracht Frankfurt at home — and hope Braga drop points. A draw in either match eliminates them. The goal difference is also a concern: Rangers are minus two, while Braga is plus three. They need goals, not just points.
Why was Vitor Carvalho’s red card so decisive?
Carvalho was Braga’s most physical defender and a key organizer in their backline. His absence forced them into a deeper, more compact shape for nearly an hour. While they survived, it limited their ability to attack. His suspension also means Braga lose that defensive anchor in their next crucial match against Eintracht Frankfurt — a game they now must win to stay top of the group.
What role did referee Danny Makkelie play in the match?
Makkelie issued six yellow cards — three to each side — and one red. His decision to send off Carvalho was correct under the rules, but his handling of the game’s physicality drew criticism. Several Rangers players felt fouls went unpunished, particularly in the first half. Yet, he maintained control, and his timing of the red card was decisive in shaping the match’s outcome.
Is James Tavernier still the right captain for this team?
Tavernier’s leadership and penalty composure remain vital, but his age (33) and physical limitations are becoming harder to ignore. He’s still the most consistent performer on the pitch, but his defensive gaps were exposed at times. The club must decide whether to build around him as a leader or transition to a younger core. His goal kept them alive — but can he carry them further?
What’s the significance of Connor Goldson’s error?
Goldson’s miscontrol wasn’t just a mistake — it was a symptom of deeper issues. Rangers have struggled with defensive cohesion since the departure of Nathan Patterson and the inconsistent form of their center-back pairing. Goldson, once a reliable presence, has looked uneasy under pressure this season. That single moment cost them two points, and it’s a recurring theme that needs urgent addressing.
When is the next critical match for Rangers in this competition?
December 12, 2025. That’s when Rangers travel to Seville to face Real Betis at Benito Villamarín Stadium. A win there is non-negotiable. Betis are already on three points and will be motivated to close out their group campaign early. Rangers need a result — and ideally, a statement performance — to keep their hopes alive.