Sturm Graz delivered a statement win in front of a raucous Merkur-Arena, outmuscling Rangers 2-1 thanks to a ruthless first-half display, leaving the Scottish side winless in the Europa League group stage and heaping more pressure on manager Russell Martin.

The Austrian champions wasted no time exploiting Rangers’ defensive frailties. Just seven minutes in, Tomi Horvat found space in the box after a botched Rangers throw-in, coolly slotting home to ignite the home crowd and spark disbelief among the traveling support. The calamity at the back continued as Sturm’s Otar Kiteishvili doubled the lead before the half-hour mark, latching onto a simple through-ball from a free-kick that tore through the visitors’ high line—an “absolute shambles” defensively, as Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd described the moment.

Rangers—shell-shocked and under fire—managed to hold out until halftime, but the damage had been done. The YouTube recap videos capture the nervy defending and swift, incisive Sturm attacks that defined the opening 45 minutes. The commentary noted how Sturm’s sharp counters repeatedly exposed Rangers’ press, with Emegha and Prass leading the charge for the Austrians.

The second half saw a marked improvement from Rangers. Only four minutes after the break, Djeidi Gassama powered home after a clever move, halving the deficit and rejuvenating the contest. Suddenly it was the home side on the ropes, as Youssef Chermiti, Derek Cornelius, and John Souttar all tested Sturm keeper Oliver Christensen—whose acrobatic 89th-minute save to deny Souttar from close range was arguably the match’s defining moment. The YouTube highlights linger on Christensen’s heroics, as he stood tall amid a late Rangers siege to preserve Sturm’s slender advantage.

Despite the late pressure, Sturm Graz saw out the contest, securing their first group-stage win and inflicting more continental misery on Rangers, who have now equaled a 128-year-old club record by going 22 away games without a European clean sheet. Manager Russell Martin, facing growing scrutiny, must regroup his side quickly before this European frustration seeps into domestic form. For Sturm, the victory not only lifts them off the bottom of the group but also sets a confident tone for the weeks ahead.

With the Europa League campaign heating up, Sturm Graz have announced themselves as serious contenders—while Rangers are left searching for answers and defensive stability, their hopes flickering after another night of European disappointment.