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.
Follow live updates from Malmo vs Rangers in our live blog below
HALF TIME! Malmo 0-1 Rangers
Impressive from Rangers. They lead at the break, but it should really be by two or three!
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
44 mins: CHANCE! How many chances do Rangers want?!
It’s another break, as Dessers does ever so well to turn and drive at goal. He slips in Bajrami, who has a clear sight of goal, but the Albanian attempts to pull it back to Dessers.
Malmo are able to recover and clear. Rangers just tried to be too clever there.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
43 mins: Rangers are finishing the half well. Bajrami has a sight of goal and strikes on target, but Dahlin collects and holds with Cerny sniffing for the rebound.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
39 mins: WHAT A CHANCE! Oh it should be two for Rangers! They break so well, as Dessers holds the ball up and knocks it to Bajrami, who plays it on to Václav Cerny.
Cerny has the whole half to run into. He takes it time, puts the ball onto his left, but then shoots wide of the post!
Philippe Clement can’t believe it. That was a golden opportunity.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
35 mins: Malmo’s Rosler is booked for a late sliding challenge on the goalscorer Bajrami.
Moments later, Rangers build an attacking move and it leads to Cerny having a sight of goal.
His shot is deflected and breaks to Diomonde, but his touch lets him down. Could have been offside, though.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
32 mins: With games against Lyon, Nice, Olympiacos, Manchester United and Tottenham to come in this Europa League, this has become a great opportunity for Rangers to get an opening win.
And they’re looking pretty solid as we tick closer to half time. Rangers have kept four clean sheets in their last five games - the exception was the 3-0 defeat to Celtic.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
28 mins: Another firework has been set off in the Malmo end. In front of them, Vaclav Cerny almost breaks down the right but the winger’s run is cut out by Pena.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
26 mins: Rangers threaten down the other end. First Bajrami cuts inside and fires straight at the goalkeeper, then Dessers looks to turn on the edge of the box. He beats his man but can’t get the shot away.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
23 mins: Malmo have yet to have a shot at goal. Rangers will be pleased with their opening quarter here, as Pena swings in a cross that is easily claimed by Jack Butland. The golakeeper is in no hurry at all to get play restarted.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments