Malmo vs Rangers LIVE: Europa League result and final score as ...
Rangers begin their Europa League campaign after reaching the final in 2022 (via REUTERS)
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
Malmo vs Rangers LIVE: Latest Europa League updatesFULL TIME! Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Rangers secure deserved win in Sweden to open Europa League campaign
76’ GOAL! Ross McCausland finds corner with low volley (MAL 0-2 RAN)
39’ CHANCE! Vaclav Cerny wide with just keeper to beat (MAL 0-1 RAN)
1’ GOAL! Nedim Bajrami scores opener inside 60 seconds (MAL 0-1 RAN)
Rangers lost to Swedish side in 2011 and 2021 Champions League qualifiers
Philippe Clement’s side also take on Tottenham and Man Utd in Europa League
Rangers pass major test to kick off Europa League with impressive win20:39 , Jamie Braidwood
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
20:43 , Jamie Braidwood
Coverage of tonight’s Europa League action continues with Tottenham against Qarabag, which has now finally kicked off.
Join us there, if you like.
Tottenham face Qarabag in Europa League after delayed kick-off - follow live
FULL TIME! Malmo 0-2 Rangers19:44 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers19:40 , Jamie Braidwood
A brilliant win for Rangers and thoroughly deserved. Three points to start their Europa League journey.
19:37 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers19:35 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers19:29 , Jamie Braidwood
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')19:20 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers19:17 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers19:16 , Jamie Braidwood
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.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers19:14 , Jamie Braidwood
69 mins: First change for Rangers as Ross McCausland replaces Cerny, who will be desperate Rangers hold on here after his first-half miss.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers19:11 , Jamie Braidwood
66 mins: Time and time again, Malmo are attempting to get down the left wing. Hugo Bolin is seeing a lot of the ball and Souttar has to make an important interception to cut out his low cross.
Rangers clear the corner and Lawrence takes his time getting back up.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers19:08 , Jamie Braidwood
62 mins: An incredible effort from Dessers from Cerny’s left-footed cross: the striker hooks a volley over his shoulder and draws the save from Dahlin, but he was offside.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers19:03 , Jamie Braidwood
58 mins: Decent move from Rangers, as Cerny picks out Lawrence with a low but accurate ball along the 18-yard line. It’s slightly behind the attacker, and Lawrence lifts it over the bar on the half volley.
Malmo 0-1 Rangers19:00 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:58 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:56 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:50 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:42 , Jamie Braidwood
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.
(Getty Images)
HALF TIME! Malmo 0-1 Rangers18:41 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:34 , Jamie Braidwood
Impressive from Rangers. They lead at the break, but it should really be by two or three!
Malmo 0-1 Rangers18:33 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:30 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:28 , Jamie Braidwood
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.
18:25 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:21 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:16 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:13 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:12 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:08 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:06 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers18:04 , Jamie Braidwood
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.
18:00 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers17:56 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers17:53 , Jamie Braidwood
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')17:49 , Jamie Braidwood
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!
KICK OFF! Malmo 0-0 Rangers17:46 , Jamie Braidwood
Away we go. Malmo are in their light blue kits, Rangers are in changed colours of dark blue with red flashes.
Malmo vs Rangers17:43 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Malmo17:39 , Jamie Braidwood
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 Rangers17:28 , Jamie Braidwood
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.”
(Getty Images)
Malmo vs Rangers17:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Malmo’s social media accounts caused a stir on Tuesday night by reminding Rangers of their previous defeats to the club.
Malmo’s Twitter/X account posted: “Welcome back to Malmo, RangersFC. We’ve missed you” - in reference to their 4-2 victory on aggregate in the Champions League qualifiers in 2021.
Malmo also beat Rangers 2-1 on aggregate in the Champions League qualifiers in 2012.
Philippe Clement shuts down Anderlecht speculation17:11 , Jamie Braidwood
Philippe Clement has committed his future to Rangers after he was linked with the vacant Anderlecht job in Belgium.
Clement, who played and managed Club Brugge in Belgium, signed a new deal with Rangers in August through until 2028.
“It’s really clear, I engaged myself long-term for Rangers last month, so whoever comes, whatever team comes, I’m not going to go away,” he said.
“I’m really clear. I want this project with the club to make it really successful for the future, and we all know we need time for that, we need a few transfer windows for that, we need a lot of work to do that, and that’s what I want to do.
“Because I love the city, I love the club, I love the dynamic at Ibrox with the fans, so I’m here to stay.”
(Getty Images)
17:09 , Jamie Braidwood
Former Leeds and Brentford centre-back Pontus Jansson starts for Malmo, forward Isaac Kiese Thelin is the top scorer in the Swedish league with 14 goals, captain Anders Christiansen is an influential No 10 and the Denmark international scored a brace in the 4-0 win over Hacken at the weekend.
Malmo XI: Dahlin; Stryger, Jansson, Rosler, Busanello; Pena, Berg Johnsen; Berg, Christiansen, Bolin; Kiese Thelin
Team news! Malmo vs Rangers16:56 , Jamie Braidwood
Neraysho Kasanwirjo is selected ahead of Dujon Sterling at left back, with Ridvan Yilmaz still out injured and Jefte suspended.
Sterling drops out altogether, with Mohamed Diomande coming into midfield alongside Connor Barron.
Team news! Malmo vs Rangers16:51 , Jamie Braidwood
Rangers XI: Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Kasanwirjo; Barron, Diomande; Lawrence, Bajrami, Cerny; Dressers
Meet Henrik Rydstrom, the Malmo manager playing Brazilian football: ‘We try to create chaos’16:38 , Jamie Braidwood
Malmo manager Henrik Rydstrom has been turning heads in Europe through his “relationism” style of play - the 48-year-old, who worked his way up through the coaching ranks before joining Malmo in 2023, where he won the league in his first season - describes his football as “a philosophy of attacking movement without fixed positions”.
“It’s really strict in some other parts,” Rydstrom said. “But not from a positional point of view. And I think that also makes it a little bit unpredictable for the opponent.”
Meet Henrik Rydstrom, the Malmo manager playing Brazilian football: ‘We create chaos’
Rangers Europa League fixtures16:19 , Jamie Braidwood
There are eight fixtures for Rangers to play in the new league phase rather than the previous six, including a couple of crackers against Tottenham and Manchester United.
Sep 26: vs Malmo (A)
Oct 3: vs Lyon (H)
Oct 24: vs FCSB (H)
Nov 7: vs Olympiacos (A)
Nov 28: vs Nice (A)
Dec 12: vs Tottenham (H)
Jan 23: vs Manchester United (A)
Jan 30: vs Union Saint-Gilloise (H)
Rangers return to Europa League after Champions League exit16:06 , Jamie Braidwood
It’s a disappointing return to the Europa League for Rangers, who would have wanted to join Celtic in the new-look Champions League. A 2-0 defeat at home to Dynamo Kyiv capped off a 3-1 aggregate loss to the Ukrainian side, and meant Rangers miss out on the Champions League for a second season in a row.
But they can be inspired by their run to the Europa League final in 2022, where the Glasgow side defeated, Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Braga and RB Leipzig on their way to reaching the Sevilla final, where they lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt.
(Getty Images)
What is the Rangers team news?16:02 , Jamie Braidwood
Philippe Clement does not have a natural left back available - with Ridvan Yilmaz still out injured and Jefte suspended. Oscar Cortes is out for “several weeks” with a knock picked up in training, having only just returned following an injury against Hearts on the opening day of the season.
When is Malmo vs Rangers?16:01 , Jamie Braidwood
The game kicks off at 17:45pm BST in Malmo. It will be shown live on TNT Sports 2.
Good afternoon16:00 , Jamie Braidwood
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.
You can follow all the build up in our live blog.
