Malmo vs Rangers LIVE: Europa League latest score and goal updates as Cerny wastes chance to double lead
Rangers face a ‘fight with history’ as they take on Swedish champions Malmo in their Europa League opener
Rangers begin their Europa League campaign against Malmo in Sweden.
The Glasgow side reached the Europa League final in 2022 but dropped into the competition this season having crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers. Philippe Clement’s side drew fixtures against both Manchester United and Tottenham, but start off with a tricky test at the home of the Swedish champions, who they lost to in Champions League qualifiers in 2012 and 2021.
Malmo are well into their domestic season, sitting 11 points clear at the top of the Allsvenskan, which stands in contrast to Rangers. The Light Blues already trail Celtic by five points in the Premiership, having lost the Old Firm 3-0 at the start of the month, and sit third behind their Glasgow rivals and Aberdeen. Rangers also lost 3-1 on aggregate to Dynamo Kviv in a disappointing Champions League exit.
Follow live updates from Malmo vs Rangers in our live blog below
NO GOAL! Malmo 0-1 Rangers
18 mins: Relief for Rangers. From a free-kick, Isaac Kiese Thelin volleys into the far corner with the outside of his foot.
But he looks offside, and is, clearly. Kiese Thelin started his run about three yards in front of the Rangers line.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
15 mins: A good spell of possession for Rangers, who have really been able to settle down into this game after Bajrami’s early goal.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
11 mins: Mohamed Diomande is booked after a foul on the Malmo left - it gives the Swedish side the chance to swing the ball in, but Connor Barron clears at the front post.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
6 mins: Rangers look to keep the pressure on as Malmo turn the ball behind for a corner. From it, Souttar is hauled down at the back post amid a frantic scramble. Malmo then clear.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
3 mins: The smoke was still clearing from the pitch after Malmo fans had set off fireworks before kick-off when Bajrami netted inside the opening minute.
Malmo look shaken by that quick Rangers start.
GOAL! Malmo 0-1 Rangers (Bajrami 1')
WHAT A START!
Rangers score in the opening minute! It’s a disaster from Malmo, with a pass-back playing in Cyriel Dessers. The striker rounds the goalkeeper but hits the post - it breaks to Nedim Bajrami, who marks his first European appearance with a simple finish!
Rangers have taken the lead against Malmö within a minute 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 26, 2024
The ideal start for Philippe Clement and his side 💪
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/7UGhuCbGny
KICK OFF! Malmo 0-0 Rangers
Away we go. Malmo are in their light blue kits, Rangers are in changed colours of dark blue with red flashes.
Malmo vs Rangers
Almost ready to go in Malmo. The Swedish champions are used to winning at home - and have favourable results against Rangers to take confidence from. The Scottish side are looking to overturn that, in what is a tough opening test in the new-look Europa League.
Rangers face a ‘fight with history’ in Malmo
Philippe Clement believes Rangers have a “fight with history” as they face Malmo tonight looking to overturn their poor record against the Swedish champions.
Rangers have lost to Malmo twice in Champions League qualifiers since 2011 and Clements said: “I saw the stats the last couple of years against Malmo, which is not really good, so we have a fight with history.
“The team is very motivated to show a good face and grow again, like they have been growing the last couple of weeks.
“But I don’t believe in that also - it’s something new now. It’s not the same players, manager, or opponents.”
Malmo vs Rangers
Connor Barron says he is “buzzing” for his first taste of Europa League football after establishing himself in the Rangers midfielder since arriving from Aberdeen in the summer.
Barron, 22, received his first Scotland call-up earlier this month and starts Rangers’ opener in Malmo tonight.
"I've loved it since I've come in. I think I've said that many times.
"The gaffer has been brilliant with me, the staff have been brilliant to me and the boys have all been brilliant to me. I've been comfortable playing in that position.
"I'll keep learning but I've enjoyed it so far. There's a lot more to come from me. I'm still learning as well.
"I'm taking everything in that I'm getting told and watching games back and making sure that I'm making myself better at the same time as well as the team. That's all I can do and I've loved it so far.”
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