Malmo vs Rangers LIVE: Europa League result and final score as Rangers secure crucial away win
Malmo 0-2 Rangers: Nedim Bajrami scored inside the first minute before Ross McCausland sealed an impressive win
Rangers opened their Europa League campaign with a 2-0 victory at Malmo to secure their first ever victory in Sweden.
Rangers had suffered bruising defeats to the Swedish champions in Champions League qualifying in 2011 and 2021, but they made a dream start when Nedim Bajrami fired Philppe Clement’s side in front after just 56 seconds.
The visitors could have been out of sight by half time, with Vaclav Cerny and Bajrami and Cyriel Dessers missing opportunities to put the game to bed. But Ross McCausland came off the bench to double Rangers’ lead in the 75th minute, firing a low volley into the corner.
It gives Rangers a dream start to their Europa League campaign, with fixtures against Lyon, Tottenham and Manchester United to come, and could kick their season into life after a difficult start under Clement.
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Rangers pass major test to kick off Europa League with impressive win
Rangers made a storming start to their Europa League campaign with a 2-0 win over Malmo in Sweden which should have been more emphatic.
Midfielder Nedim Bajrami scored his first goal for the Ibrox club in less than a minute and Philippe Clement’s side passed up several chances to add a second before the interval.
The Swedish champions, who had not lost to Rangers in four previous meetings in Champions League qualifiers, piled pressure on after the break but still the Light Blues missed chances to add to their lead before substitute Ross McCausland fired in a superb second in the 76th minute to seal the win.
It was the biggest test for the Ibrox outfit since they lost 3-0 to Celtic at the start of the month and they came through with flying colours.
Clement’s side can take confidence into the Scottish Premiership game against Hibernian on Sunday, before they host French side Lyon next week in the second of eight Europa League fixtures.
Rangers pass major test to kick off Europa League with impressive win
Malmo 0-2 Rangers: Nedim Bajrami’s first goal for the club and Ross McCausland’s superb second earned the visitors an important win
Coverage of tonight’s Europa League action continues with Tottenham against Qarabag, which has now finally kicked off.
Join us there, if you like.
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FULL TIME! Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Malmo did not have a single shot on target tonight. They were shut out by Rangers, who had all the best chances. Despite a fairly even share of possession, Philippe Clement’s could have won by five or six.
They will take an impressive 2-0 win, which gives the Ibrox side the perfect start to a tricky Europa League campaign that will see Rangers face Lyon, Nice, Olympiacos, Tottenham and Manchester United among their seven remaining fixtures.
FULL TIME! Malmo 0-2 Rangers
A brilliant win for Rangers and thoroughly deserved. Three points to start their Europa League journey.
Malmo 0-2 Rangers
90+2 mins: You can hear the Rangers fans signing loud in the Malmo away end. This is set to be their first win in Sweden, and it could really spark their season into life.
Malmo 0-2 Rangers
88 mins: Rangers are almost there. Malmo have the chance to hit a cross into the box from a free-kick, but it goes straight out of play and it sums their night up.
There will be four minutes added on.
Malmo 0-2 Rangers
81 mins: Chance! It really could have been four or five for Rangers tonight. It’s three on two for the visitors and Neraysho Kasanwirjo is the free man, but he lifts his shot over the bar from inside the box.
That would have finished it.
GOAL! Malmo 0-2 Rangers (McCAUSLAND 75')
Rangers double their lead at last! And what an impact from Ross McCausland!
It’s brilliant from the 21-year-old. He comes off the right wing, takes a bouncing ball on his chest, and directs a volley into the corner off his left foot.
McCausland wheels away in celebration. It’s the least Rangers deserve. They’ve been great tonight, and McCausland finally takes the chance to find the second.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
72 mins: CHANCE! Another one! How many do Rangers want!
This time it’s Dessers. Slipped through, he just has the goalkeeper to beat at the angle, but he lifts his shot high and wide as he looks for the far corner!
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
71 mins: Another half-chance for Rangers after robbing the ball from Malmo high up the pitch. Lawrence has a line of sight to play Dessers through, but he hits it too close to the Malmo defender and it’s cut out.
Rangers will only have themselves to blame if they don’t see this out.
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