It didn’t take more than 15 minutes before a trio of Elfsborg players would be responsible for a class action. Little brother Besfort Zeneli (big brother Arber Zeneli also plays in the club) pushed the ball forward and passed Ahmed Qasem who, however, neglected to receive the ball. Behind him was Michael Baidoo instead and when Qasem had already started a run towards the penalty area, the ball was sent in on a strike so that Qasem could easily roll the ball in behind a chanceless Molde goalkeeper.
Just five minutes later, the talent Jalal Abdullai could extend for Elfsborg, but the goalkeeper was a class act. Even fullback Niklas Hult could have had a ball in the net in the first half.
Europa League
Molde had difficulty creating any dangerous scoring chances and the home team was booed at times. But in the second half, they came out with a new team, and at times pressed the Borås team down hard, but Elfsborg stood strong and solid in the defensive.
Elfsborg had another ball in the net but the referee deemed that Michael Baidoo disturbed the goalkeeper too much when Buhari headed in a corner.
1-0 stood and now awaits the return home at Borås Arena on August 29 in a match that will decide whether Elfsborg players Europa League or Conference League.
See the winning goal in the player above.
UEFA Europa League
Molde FK
0 – 1
IF Elfsborg