Impressive Rangers lead Malmo after aim in opening minute – stay updates
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
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
55 mins: The warning alarms are going off now for Rangers. Malmo have woken up. They cut Rangers apart down the left and the low ball picks out Christiansen in the box.
It’s a great chance for the Malmo captain but he lifts his shot over the bar.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
53 mins: Malmo have been able to sustain some pressure around the Rangers box at the start of the half. Rangers are dropping a little too deep, as Berg Johnsen is given roof to line up his shot.
It’s dragged well wide, though.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
49 mins: Rangers have to be careful. Tavernier concedes a cheap free kick and offers Malmo the chance to throw Jansson into the box. Pena picks out Kiese Thelin but the header is well wide.
A warning.
BACK UNDERWAY! Malmo 0-1 Rangers
Malmo have to be better, surely? The hosts offered very little in the first half but Rangers were very good.
They should be two or three goals clear. Now, they need to make sure they don’t regret those missed chances.
HALF TIME! Malmo 0-1 Rangers
Nedim Bajrami scored after 56 seconds for Rangers in Malmo.
The forward has previous – earlier this summer, he scored the fastest goal in Euros history when he scored for Albania against Italy at Euro 2024.
That was after just 23 seconds.
HALF TIME! Malmo 0-1 Rangers
Rangers have had 10 shots to Malmo’s one so far, but they could have been much more clinical. Bajrami and Cerny had to do better with those late chances in the half.
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.
