Panathinaikos 1-1 Rangers (1-3 agg): Gassama seals progression in Champions League qualifying

Djeidi Gassama played the role of super sub as his goal booked Rangers’ place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League following a 1-1 draw with Panathinaikos.

After scoring Rangers’ second goal in their first-leg triumph, Gassama netted a 60th-minute equaliser in the second leg on Wednesday to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory in Athens.

But Russell Martin’s team came under immense pressure from their opponents, with Jack Butland producing a stunning stop one-on-one to deny Facundo Pellistri early on.

Fotis Ioannidis was the next to test Butland with a fierce header before Pellistri squandered a golden chance from inside the penalty area, spooning his shot over the crossbar.

Rangers were able to survive that wave of pressure until eight minutes after the restart when Filip Djuricic’s header from Tasos Bakasetas’ cross squirmed past Butland.

Drurjic’s effort was originally ruled out for offside, but following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was given, though Panathinaikos’ ecstasy quickly turned to despair.

Just three minutes after replacing Findlay Curtis, Gassama thundered the ball home off the right post after Danilo’s blocked effort fell kindly into the substitutes’ path.

The hosts continued to push as Tete’s cross narrowly evaded Ioannidis, before Cyriel Dessers failed to finish past Bartlomiej Dragowski late on, with Rangers holding on to reach the final round of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition.

Full-Time: Panathinaikos 1-1 Rangers (Agg 1-3)

Djeidi Gassama’s perfect strike sends us into the @ChampionsLeague Third Qualifying Round. pic.twitter.com/65jHeeR6Qt

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 30, 2025

Data Debrief: Gassama makes an instant impact

After introducing himself to the Rangers faithful with a stunning solo goal in the first leg, Gassama continued where he left off in this match with a brilliant display off the bench.

But it was Rangers’ defensive resilience that got them over the line here, with Panathinaikos registering an expected goals (xG) total of 1.65 from their 20 shots to Rangers’ 0.72 from their 10 attempts in the contest.

And that solidity at the back was largely down to Butland’s display, with the 32-year-old making five crucial saves in the match, while defender John Souttar ended the encounter with a game-high number of clearances (12).