Malmö FF entered the meeting with Glasgow Rangers with a 2-1 victory from the first match. But they had a very tough task ahead of them.
Because for 18 minutes you could withstand the enormous pressure they encountered at Ibrox Stadium.
Then Rangers’ very own goal scorer Alfredo Morelos nodded in the goal that leveled the meeting with MFF.
Then the whole audience – and probably also one or two Rangers players – thought that this would be a pretty simple story for the home team. It did not happen …
MFF started well at Ibrox. For two minutes.
Then MFF was played out – and made out.
Despite total game dominance Rangers, just like in Malmö, created no direct dangerous goal chances.
In the 18th minute, the jubilation that made the classic Scottish football arena from 1899 rock and crack in the joints.
Colombian Alfredo Morelos nodded the ball into Johan Dahlin’s left corner after a cross from the left.
After that, the storm calmed down and Malmö FF got and could hold the ball.
After 34 minutes, MFF sent a free kick in high over the penalty box. However, Veljko Birmancevic made a spectacular save.
Three minutes later, MFF had another good attack that ended with Antonio Colak nodding – over.
The first half ended in the worst way.
Within four minutes, Bonke Innocent picked up two yellow cards and was sent off. At the second warning, the MFF midfielder came with the studs ahead against Rangersbacken Connor Goldson.
– Antonio Colak protests after Bonke Innocent has received his second yellow card.
Photo: Ludvig Thunman / Bildbyrån
The second half started with hard pressure against MFF again.
But in the 53rd minute, something came as no one predicted – Antonio Colak silenced 50,000 in the stands.
Colak equalized to 1-1 with a rock hard shot in the far burgaveln. Veljko Birmancevic appeared on cue near the post, and steered it past the goalie.
In the 58th minute struck Antonio Colak again. He received the ball at the penalty area line, turned around his back and hit the ball to the left of Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
After Colak’s two goals, Sören Rieks was a saving angel twice. First he saved a dangerous shot with his head, then a shot from Morelos from six meters away.
Rangers pressure continued – and the Scottish audience only became more and more frustrated.
But MFF saved the storm.
Classic Rangers can continue to dream of new heyday.
For MFF, the dream of group play in the Champions League lives on
Now they have also secured games in the Europa League group games – and many new millions.