Rangers ended their Europa League campaign with another away defeat, losing 3-1 to Porto, who moved straight into the last 16. Danny Rohl's side had been knocked out before kick-off and stayed 32nd overall. A bright start brought the opening goal, but defensive errors and limited attacking threat left Rangers well beaten.
Porto turned the match once Rangers’ early lead faded. The hosts struck three times before half-time to remove any tension inside Estadio Do Dragao. Rangers then struggled to create chances, managing only five attempts, as Porto controlled the rest of the contest and protected the advantage without serious pressure.
Rangers silenced the home crowd after six minutes. Findlay Curtis swung in a cross from the right and Djeidi Gassama
met it with a firm header. Porto responded in the 27th minute when Rodrigo Mora collected the ball in the box, found space, and finished calmly beyond Jack Butland.
The turning point came in the closing minutes of the first half. Francisco Moura punished a mix-up between Butland and James Tavernier to give Porto the lead. Soon after, William Gomes delivered a dangerous corner and Emmanuel Fernandez misjudged the flight, diverting a header into the defender’s own net.
Porto continued to create the clearer chances after the break. Pepe went close with a curling effort in the 78th minute, then tested Butland again with a weaker shot. Porto did not add a fourth goal but kept control, limiting Rangers to moments on the break rather than sustained attacking spells.
Full-Time | FC Porto 3-1 Rangers pic.twitter.com/idxw2E613e Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 29, 2026
Rangers’ travelling support had seen a win over Ludogorets in the previous group game and hoped for another strong display. Instead, the defeat in Porto extended Rangers’ run to six straight away losses in European competition, including qualifiers, which is now the club’s longest such streak on the continent.
Conceding three first-half goals underlined Rangers’ problems without home advantage. This is only the second time Rangers have let in three before the break in a Europa League match, after the meeting with Lyon in October 2024. It is also just the eighth occasion this has happened in any major European fixture for Rangers.
Porto’s form at Estadio Do Dragao highlighted the contrast. The Portuguese side have now won four successive home games in major European competitions. That sequence matches a previous run of four victories between October 2018 and March 2019 in the Champions League, underlining why visiting teams usually face a demanding night there.
Shot data also reflected Porto’s control of the match.
Overall, the numbers captured the gap between the teams. Porto created 12 shots and an expected goals figure of 1.72, while Rangers produced five attempts and 0.43 xG. Combined with the costly defensive mistakes before half-time, those figures explain why Rangers’ Europa League journey ended in another away defeat.
