Rangers vs Athletic Club: Results, H2H, Prediction & Stats

Two clubs, two legs, one ticket to the Europa League semi-finals: here’s what the data shows across the tie.

Have the Rangers ever played Athletic Club?

Yes—and 2025 marked the clubs’ first meeting in a major European competition. Rangers and Athletic Club had never crossed paths in a continental tournament before the Europa League quarter-finals, despite both clubs maintaining deep traditions in Scottish and Spanish football respectively.

Head-to-head stats

Across both legs, Athletic Club controlled proceedings in their home fixture while Rangers held firm at Ibrox. The aggregate score of 2-0 reflects Athletic Club’s attacking dominance at San Mamés, where Oihan Sancet converted a penalty four minutes into first-half stoppage time and Nico Williams added a second goal 10 minutes from full-time.

The pattern shows Rangers capable of frustrating Athletic Club at home but unable to replicate that solidity on the road against a side hunting its first European trophy.

Previous Europa League encounters

Neither club had faced each other in European competition before April 2025. Rangers arrived having navigated past previous rounds, while Athletic Club carried momentum from their Copa del Rey triumph that ended a 40-year trophy drought (ESPN match report).

Are Rangers out of the Europa League?

Rangers are officially out. Athletic Club’s 2-0 victory in the second leg at San Mamés sealed a 2-0 aggregate win and ended Rangers’ Europa League campaign (UEFA official match report). The Scottish side exits the competition at the quarter-final stage for the second consecutive season.

Quarter-final results

The first leg at Ibrox ended goalless after a hard-fought contest. Rangers defended resiliently to keep the tie level, though the match stretched into 13 minutes of stoppage time in the second half. The second leg told a different story—Athletic Club dominated from start to finish in front of a record San Mamés crowd of 52,114 (Athletic Club match record).

The decisive fixtures unfolded as follows:

Path to semi-finals for Athletic Club

Athletic Club now face Manchester United in the semi-finals. The first leg is scheduled for May 1, 2025 at San Mamés, with the return leg eight days later (ESPN semi-final preview). Should Athletic Club reach the final on May 21, it would be played at their own stadium—a prospect the club has termed “the dream getting closer.”

For Rangers, the financial and competitive implications of this exit extend beyond the current season, affecting squad-building capabilities.

Why did Rangers fans leave at 55 minutes?

Reports emerged of Rangers supporters leaving Ibrox during the first leg before the hour mark. While the research notes reference fan anger and protests against the club, the exact sequence of events around the 55-minute mark requires verification from on-ground sources. What is clear is that Rangers fans have expressed frustration over the club’s direction, ownership decisions, and recent results.

Ibrox walkout details

Rangers’ Europa League campaign has been accompanied by vocal fan discontent. The first leg against Athletic Club, despite ending goalless, reportedly saw sections of supporters voice their displeasure. The anger stems from broader concerns about the club’s trajectory rather than performance in this specific match alone.

Reasons for fan anger

Rangers fans have raised concerns over several issues including ownership strategy, player recruitment, and results. The Europa League quarter-final exit compounds frustrations from domestic league performance. Fan groups have called for greater transparency from the board and clearer plans for on-field improvement.

How much money do the Rangers get for the Europa League?

UEFA Europa League clubs earn prize money through a combination of participation fees, results-based payments, and broadcasting shares. Reaching the quarter-finals guaranteed Rangers a substantial payout, though exact figures vary based on coefficient rankings and market pool distributions.

Europa League 25/26 prize money

UEFA distributes prize money according to club performance and each country’s market pool. Participation in the group stage alone yields a guaranteed sum, with additional payments for each victory, draw, and knockout round advancement. The quarter-final participation fee represents the highest single payment Rangers would have received before potential semi-final qualification.

Celtic vs Rangers earnings comparison

Scottish clubs face different financial trajectories in European competition. Celtic’s sustained continental presence in recent seasons has generated consistent prize money and broadcasting revenue. Research notes indicate Celtic earned significantly more than Rangers over the past decade, partly due to more regular group stage qualifications and deeper knockout runs.

The financial chasm in European earnings has tangible consequences for Rangers’ competitive standing against domestic rivals.

Rangers vs Athletic Club prediction and results

The actual results unfolded as follows: Rangers 0-0 Athletic Club in the first leg (April 10, 2025), then Athletic Club 2-0 Rangers in the second leg (April 17, 2025) (UEFA first leg report). Pre-match predictions favored Athletic Club given their domestic form and the home final incentive, though the margin of victory exceeded many expectations.

Match predictions

Pre-match analysis noted Athletic Club as favorites due to their momentum following the Copa del Rey triumph. The first leg at Ibrox was expected to be competitive, with Rangers’ defensive organization capable of frustrating the Basque side. Most predictions anticipated a close tie decided by the second leg.

Final results and stats

The second leg produced decisive statistics in Athletic Club’s favor: two goals from open play and set pieces, a clean sheet, and overwhelming territorial control. Sancet’s penalty came from a disputed incident, while Williams finished precisely after Rangers pushed forward seeking an equalizer.

Lineups

Rangers’ first leg lineup included Liam Kelly, Robin Pröpper, and Leon Balogun among the starters (ESPN lineup details). Athletic Club named their strongest available side, with Williams and Sancet featuring prominently in attacking positions.

Both clubs now recalibrate their ambitions—Rangers toward domestic recovery and Athletic Club toward history.

Timeline

What we know and what remains unclear

The confirmed facts are straightforward: two legs, two scores, one winner. Athletic Club scored twice without reply in the decisive home fixture, Rangers managed zero goals across 180 minutes, and the Basque side now face Manchester United in the semi-finals with a potential home final awaiting.

What people are saying

Athletic Club advanced to the Europa League semi-finals with a 2-0 home win over Rangers in their quarter-final second leg.

— Reuters via ESPN news source

A third continental semi-final is now in the bag and the dream is getting closer.

— Athletic Club Official statement

RANGERS have it all to play for in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Club as a heroic display kept the tie level.

— Rangers FC Official match preview

Athletic club roaring into the semi-finals of the Europa League and taking another step towards playing in this season’s final here on home.

— CBS Sports Golazo match highlights

For Rangers, the Europa League exit leaves a season-defining question mark over domestic priorities. With European revenue gone and no trophy secured, the pressure on manager and squad intensifies. Athletic Club, meanwhile, march toward a home final that would cap an extraordinary season—both on and off the pitch.

Related reading: Manchester United F.C. vs Ipswich Town: Head-to-Head & Stats · Benfica vs Real Madrid – Head-to-Head Stats and History

Athletic Club sealed their Europa League progression with a 2-0 aggregate victory report over Rangers, showcasing defensive resilience across both legs.

Frequently asked questions