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Bajrami rolls in first-minute opener after Dessers shot hits upright & McCausland squeezes in second after break
Malmo effort ruled out for offside
Cerny, Dessers & Kasanwirjo spurn glorious chances
Malmo beat Rangers over two legs in 2021 Champions League qualifier
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
That's all from us on a great night for Rangers.
Three points on the board from the first of eight Europa League ties - and they made it look easy in Malmo.
Next week is a bumper since we'll have Celtic, Rangers and Hearts all playing in Europe. Can't wait...
Image source, SNSFT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
And what is the next game for Rangers?
Well, in this competition, it's home to Lyon - and that game is sandwiched between league games against Hibs and St Johnstone, also at Ibrox.
It looks like a chance to build good momentum.
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
A little bit earlier, Rangers midfielder Ross McCausland told TNT Sports: "Everyone is buzzing. That's the result we wanted.
"The clean sheet is probably the main thing, as well as the two goals to seal the game. We are all chuffed and ready to move on to the next game.
"In terms of the game, the early goal helped us a lot. The goal to put us two ahead sealed it for us.
"Everyone is starting to gel together. Everyone is comfortable with each other.
"I'm delighted to come on and get a goal tonight."
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
"In quality, yes. But in finishing, no," says manager Phillipe Clement when asked how happy he is with the victory.
"It could have been perfection if we scored three goals in the first half like we deserved.
"It's not errors. It's part of football. Even the best players in the world do not score with every chance. It is important we create chances and that the players are focused and more decisive.
"I think Ross (McCausland) is a really good example. A few months he did not have any power or any quality with his left foot but he has been working on that every day. And because of that he scores a very important second goal.
"It's massive for [Nedim Bajrami]. He is just in the building but you can see the influence he has on the way we want to play. He's going to become an important player."
Image source, SNSFT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Manager Philippe Clement reckons that was Rangers' best performance of the season.
We'll hear more from him in just a tick.
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Steven Thompson
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
To get a result here in Sweden, it should give all the players and staff a lift.
There was negativity at Rangers in the summer surrounding what was happening at Ibrox and with transfers. You want to shake that off as quickly as you can, so a result like tonight is massive for the club.
They need to kick on and use this as a tool to improve.
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
That's a first away win with a clean sheet in Europe for Rangers, excluding qualifiers, since they beat Lech Poznan 2-0 in December 2020.
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Fastest goal at the Euros this summer and a first Rangers goal after 56 seconds this evening...
Nedim Bajrami doesn't hang about.
Image source, SNSFT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Rangers attacker Nedim Bajrami tells TNT Sports: "It was really nice for me to score and help the team with this goal. We need to keep going like this, we have a lot of games to play. I'm really proud to help the team with the goal.
"I think we did good pressing with Cyriel and it came to me, and I scored the goal."
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Ally McCoist
Former Rangers striker on TNT Sports
Other than the first 20 minutes of the second half, Rangers were comfortable.
It's the best I've seen the two centre-backs, Barron and Diomande were excellent in the the middle of the park.
The finishing was poor though - apart from McCausland's goal. It could have been four or five tonight.
They weren't half chances. They were great chances to score and put the game beyond any shadow of a doubt.
That will have to improve. You might get away with it in some games in Scotland, and very occasionally in Europe.
But against the better teams you won't. It might seem harsh to be talking about missed chances when Rangers have played so well, but it has to improve.
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound
It's surreal that this was so comfortable for Rangers. Had they been clinical, it could have been four or five. They were never in any danger.
Rangers put them away early and they have put themselves now in an excellent position. Lyon at home next, they have started the French league with one win in five. FCSB next after that, at home. They are 13th in the Romanian league. Winnable.
Image source, SNSCyriel Dessers and Connor Barron applaud fans in Malmo
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Rangers captain James Tavernier tells TNT Sports: "We had the chances, first half and second half. Delighted we've come here and got the clean sheet. We dug deep to limit their chances. We knew they'd be strong on set-pieces and we dealt with them very well. Three points, great start.
"We're continuing to work hard in training and we're getting stronger as a team. We've got a young squad and they are gelling really well. I thought it was a great display from us.
"Our fans always require us to win games no matter who it is. We always want to put a performance in and we did that."
Asked about the reaction since losing to Celtic, Tavernier adds: "It's part and parcel. I am at the front, as captain. I've got to take the criticism. When we are doing well, I'll take the good as well. I'm a strong character and I can always continue. As a team, we just have to move in the right direction and keep pushing forward."
Image source, SNSFT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Malmo, comfortably on top of the Swedish league, did not have a single shot on target.
There was only really one scare for Rangers, when Anders Christiansen cracked a great chance over the top.
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger on Sportsound
I was pleasantly disappointed in Malmo, shall we say. It's great to see one of our sides getting a comfortable win in Europe. It's not to often in recent times that Rangers have been efficient away from home in Europe.
Malmo like to attack, they are unorthodox. But they had no balance or rhythm because they were getting turned over so often. They were so unstructured and so lop-sided, which gave Rangers opportunities.
Rangers should have been out of sight. Three, four or five chances where they did not test the goalkeeper, but they didn't need it... They were so professional and disciplined.
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland in Malmo
There's no debate that this win wasn't merited. In truth, Rangers ought to have been out of sight way before Ross McCausland's settler.
They missed some incredible chances and should have had two or three more.
A great start to their Europa League campaign that will bring real confidence that they're on the right road.
Image source, SNSRoss McCausland smacks in the second goal for Rangers
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
That's a first win for Rangers against Swedish opposition - at the seventh attempt.
FT: Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Steven Thompson
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
Clean sheets and away victories don't happen often for Scottish club in European competition.
It's a massive result for Rangers and a perfect start.
It's been an accomplished performance.
Ross McCausland got the second goal Rangers' enterprising play deserved.
Nedim Bajrami's opener seems like a long time ago now.
The margin of victory really should have been greater, with several chances spurned, but it's a very good start to their latest Europa League campaign.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSMalmo 0-2 Rangers
Cyriel Dessers back on his own byeline helping out his defence... Great energy from the Rangers striker.
That's followed by a time-wasting booking for goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Malmo 0-2 Rangers
Four minutes added... Rangers are almost there.
Ross McCausland's goal sealed Rangers' win after they missed a host of chances
Rangers secured an invaluable victory in their Europa League opener in Malmo as they earned a first-ever win on Swedish soil.
It was a dream and decisive start. Inside 60 seconds, Cyriel Dessers broke in behind, rounded Johan Dahlin in goal, and struck the base of the post from an angle.
Nedim Bajrami was alert and, as the ball rolled perfectly into his path, he gleefully stroked home his first Rangers goal.
Malmo looked rattled, though Isaac Kiese Thelin thought he had levelled when he volleyed an angled free-kick back across Jack Butland. His celebrations were short as the offside flag was raised.
Still, Rangers maintained their grip on the game.
Dessers flicked to Bajrami who, in turn, brilliantly sent Vaclav Cerny clear in on goal in acres of space. He had to score. He didn’t, as the ball flashed just past the post.
That became a theme, glaring missed chances, until late on.
Dessers fed Bajrami racing into the box. It was another glorious chance until, incredibly, it wasn't.
The Albania international, seemingly full of confidence after his goal, inexplicably didn't shoot, reversed it back towards the striker and the chance was gone.
Malmo emerged re-energised after half-time, firing crosses into the penalty area and shots from distance. Yet Rangers stood firm under that pressure.
Anders Christiansen fired over on the run, but that was Malmo's best chance. Few tested Butland at all in truth.
Rangers still continued to threaten and Dessers had another glorious chance to end it but fired high and wide when he had to score from close range.
They got there, though. Substitute Ross McCausland stepped up late on with a crisp, low strike to secure a crucial win that gets Rangers' Europa League campaign off to an excellent start.
Nedim Bajrami scored his first Rangers goal inside the opening minute
This was an impressive and assured Rangers display at this level in a testing, compact environment. They needed a positive start given how tough their draw is and they got it.
The foundation was the opener coming so early. From there, the Premiership side largely controlled things, balancing solid defending with cutting attacking threat.
Crucially, Malmo just couldn't test Butland, particularly during the first half in which the hosts had just two touches in Rangers' box.
Not that this was a defensive display, far from it.
It was a different Malmo for some of the second period. They got their act together, the crowd responded but Philippe Clement's side stood up to that test.
Rangers in truth should have been out of sight long before they got that vital second. Malmo were poor overall and the Ibrox side took full advantage.
The only criticism might be the amount of stick-on chances they didn't take when in fabulous positions. Usually in Europe, those moments get punished.
This felt like a tie from which Rangers required at least a point, given the quality of opposition in their draw.
The win gives them the perfect start and platform to move forward with confidence when they host Lyon at home next.
McCausland 'symbol of hard work' at Rangers - Clement
Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "It could have been perfection if we scored three goals in the first half like we deserved.
"It's not errors. It's part of football. Even the best players in the world do not score with every chance. It is important we create and the players are more decisive.
"I think Ross [McCausland] is a really good example. A few months ago, he did not have any power or any quality with his left foot, but he has been working on that every day. And because of that he scores a very important second goal.
"It's massive for [Nedim Bajrami]. He is just in the building but you can see the influence he has on the way we want to play. He's going to become an important player."
Rangers won a European game against Swedish opposition at the seventh time of asking (D2 L4).
They enjoyed their first away win to nil in Europe (excluding qualifiers) since December 2020 (2-0 at Lech Poznan).
Malmo failed to direct a single shot on target in a European game for the first time since October 2022.
Nedim Bajrami’s strike on 56 seconds was the first time Rangers have scored in the opening minute in Europe since October 1998, when Gennaro Gattuso netted against Beitar Jerusalem in the Uefa Cup.
Half of Ross McCausland’s goals for Rangers have come as a substitute (3/6).
James Tavernier registered his 51st Rangers start in major European competition. Only Allan McGregor (78), John Greig (62) and Barry Ferguson (60) have made more.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajax | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
|
| 2 | FCSB | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
|
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 5 | Galatasaray | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 7 | Slavia Prague | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
|
| 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 9 | AZ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 10 | Bodø / Glimt | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 11 | Anderlecht | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 12 | Fenerbahçe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 13 | Sporting Braga | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
| 14 | Viktoria Plzeň | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 19 | Twente | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 21 | Midtjylland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
| 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 23 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 24 | Elfsborg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 25 | Porto | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 26 | Ferencváros | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 27 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 28 | Union Saint-Gilloise | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
| 29 | PAOK | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
| 30 | Ludogorets | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| 31 | Malmö FF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| 32 | Olympiakos Piraeus | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
|
| 33 | Rīgas FS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
|
| 34 | Dynamo Kyiv | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| 35 | Qarabağ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| 36 | Beşiktaş | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
Manager: Henrik Rydström
Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Manager: Philippe Clement
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Henrik Rydström
Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Manager: Philippe Clement
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
UEFA Europa League
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All competitions
Malmö have played Rangers four times in major European competition with all four meetings coming in UEFA Champions League qualification. In that time, the Swedish side remain unbeaten (W2 D2).
Rangers have failed to win any of their six games against Swedish opposition in European competition (D2 L4), the most they’ve faced sides from a specific nation without ever winning.
Malmö have lost nine of their last 12 games in all European competitions (W2 D1), a run which has seen the Swedish side fail to score on six separate occasions.
Rangers have lost four of their last seven away UEFA Europa League games (W1 D2), just one fewer than they suffered across their prior 19 such matches in the competition (5).
James Tavernier has netted 11 goals across major European competition for Rangers, with only Alfredo Morelos (15), Ralph Brand (13) and Ally McCoist (12) ever managing more for the Scottish side.
