Match report

Sturm Graz Defeats Rangers 2-1 in Europa League Clash

Sturm Graz
Sturm Graz
2–1
FT
Rangers
Rangers
Oct 2, 2025

In an electrifying encounter at the Europa League stage, Sturm Graz stunned Rangers with a 2-1 victory. The Austrian side's early goals by Tomi Horvat and O. Kiteishvili set the tone despite Rangers' late fightback through D. Gassama.

Key Facts

  • • Sturm Graz led 2-0 with goals from Tomi Horvat (7') and O. Kiteishvili (35')
  • • Rangers managed to pull one back through D. Gassama in the 49th minute
  • • Both teams made multiple substitutions, with Rangers making three changes after falling behind
  • • T. Oermann from Sturm Graz received a yellow card for a foul at 68'
  • • D. Cornelius of Rangers was also shown a yellow card for a foul at 75'

Lineups

Sturm Graz

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 O. Christensen (G)
  • 5 T. Oermann (D)
  • 47 E. Aiwu (D)
  • 24 D. Lavalee (D)
  • 17 E. Karic (D)
  • 4 J. Gorenc Stankovic (M)
  • 21 T. Chukwuani (M)
  • 19 T. Horvat (M)
  • 10 O. Kiteishvili (M)
  • 26 B. Beganovic (M)
  • 77 M. Malone (F)

Substitutes

  • 32 C. Wiener-Pucher
  • 40 M. Bignetti
  • 2 J. Mitchell
  • 20 S. Jatta
  • 22 J. Beck
  • 25 S. Hierlander
  • 27 G. Haider
  • 35 N. Geyrhofer
  • 38 L. Grgic
  • 39 L. Weinhandl
  • 43 J. Hodl

Rangers

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Butland (G)
  • 2 J. Tavernier (D)
  • 5 J. Souttar (D)
  • 13 D. Cornelius (D)
  • 30 J. Meghoma (D)
  • 43 N. Raskin (M)
  • 8 C. Barron (M)
  • 18 O. Antman (M)
  • 11 T. Aasgaard (M)
  • 23 D. Gassama (M)
  • 9 Chermiti (F)

Substitutes

  • 31 L. Kelly
  • 32 K. Wright
  • 3 M. Aarons
  • 6 J. Rothwell
  • 16 L. Cameron
  • 24 N. Djiga
  • 28 B. Miovski
  • 47 M. Moore
  • 49 B. Rice
  • 52 F. Curtis
  • 64 A. McCallion
  • 99 Danilo Pereira

Timeline

  1. Sturm Graz
    7' Sturm Graz Goal · Normal Goal
    Tomi Horvat · Assist: Maurice Malone
  2. Sturm Graz
    35' Sturm Graz Goal · Normal Goal
    O. Kiteishvili · Assist: Tomi Horvat
  3. Rangers
    46' Rangers subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Meghoma · On: M. Aarons
  4. Rangers
    46' Rangers subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Antman · On: B. Miovski
  5. Rangers
    49' Rangers Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Gassama · Assist: Nicolas Raskin
  6. Sturm Graz
    59' Sturm Graz subst · Substitution 1
    Off: B. Beganovic · On: J. Hodl
  7. Sturm Graz
    68' Sturm Graz Card · Yellow Card
    T. Oermann

    Foul

  8. Rangers
    68' Rangers subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Barron · On: J. Rothwell
  9. Sturm Graz
    73' Sturm Graz subst · Substitution 2
    Off: T. Oermann · On: J. Mitchell
  10. Sturm Graz
    73' Sturm Graz subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Maurice Malone · On: S. Jatta
  11. Sturm Graz
    73' Sturm Graz subst · Substitution 4
    Off: O. Kiteishvili · On: L. Grgic
  12. Rangers
    75' Rangers Card · Yellow Card
    D. Cornelius

    Foul

  13. Rangers
    79' Rangers subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Cornelius · On: M. Moore
  14. Rangers
    83' Rangers subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Aasgaard · On: Danilo Pereira
  15. Sturm Graz
    90'+4 Sturm Graz Card · Yellow Card
    Emir Karić

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Sturm Graz Rangers
Fouls 20 13
Pass Accuracy 74% 84%
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 16 16
Corners 3 7
Total Passes 310 437
Yellow Cards 2 1
Blocked Shots 7 1
Shots on Target 8 10
xG 1.64 1.87
Shots off Target 1 5
Possession 41% 59%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 229 365
Shots Inside Box 15 14
Saves 10 7
Shots Outside Box 1 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Sturm Graz's early goals by Horvat and Kiteishvili set the pace and established an early lead that was crucial in securing their victory.
  • ▸ Rangers' goal by D. Gassama at 49' provided a glimmer of hope for a comeback but couldn't overcome the earlier deficit.