Rangers rating inside first minute in Europa League opener at Malmo – 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
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.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers
20 mins: Tavernier flashes in a wonderful cross from the right. Dessers is being held back by the Malmo defender Colin Rösler, and can’t get on the end of it. Dessers appeals but it’s waved away.
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.
