Malmö FF, one of Sweden’s most famous soccer teams, is getting closer to playing in the UEFA Champions League Group Stage again — something they haven’t done since 2021. They took a big step forward by winning 4-1 against RFS, the top team from Latvia, in the first leg of their Second Qualifying Round match. This game was played in Riga, Latvia’s capital city, and Malmö put on a great performance to take a big lead before the second leg back home in Sweden.
Let’s break it all down, step by step, and learn a few fun soccer facts along the way!
What is the UEFA Champions League?
The UEFA Champions League (UCL) is the biggest club soccer competition in Europe. It’s like the “World Cup” of club teams. The best teams from different countries try to qualify for the Group Stage. From there, they try to win the whole tournament. Teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Barcelona are some of the famous clubs that have won it in the past.
To get to the Group Stage, smaller teams (from smaller countries or leagues) need to go through multiple qualifying rounds, which are like mini-tournaments. Malmö is one of those teams trying to qualify.
Malmö’s Road to Riga
Before this big win in Riga, Malmö had already passed one test. In the First Qualifying Round, they beat a team called Iberia 1999 from Georgia. Malmö won both matches against them with a score of 3-1 each time. That gave them a total of 6-2 on aggregate — which is the combined score of both legs (home and away).
Now in the Second Qualifying Round, they were up against RFS, who had also come through their own round by beating an Estonian team called FCI Levadia 2-0.
Fast Start in Riga
Malmö got off to a quick start in Riga. In just the 13th minute, they scored their first goal. Sead Haksabanovic took a powerful shot, and while the RFS goalkeeper Marko Maric saved it, he couldn’t hold onto the ball. That’s when Otto Rosengren rushed in and kicked the rebound into the net! That made it 1-0 for Malmö.
Soccer Fact: A rebound goal is when the ball bounces off the goalkeeper and another player scores right after. It’s all about being quick and ready!
Solid Defense, Strong Attack
Malmö didn’t stop attacking after the first goal. They kept the pressure on RFS, and both Jens Stryger and Rosengren had more chances to score. But the second goal came from a corner kick.
Corner kicks happen when the ball goes out of bounds after the defending team touches it last near their own goal. It gives the attacking team a big chance to score.
In the 35th minute, Malmö’s player Busanello sent in a great cross from a corner, and Pontus Jansson, who was left completely unmarked (nobody was guarding him!), headed the ball into the net. That made it 2-0!
Soccer Fact: Corner kicks lead to goals about 3% of the time in professional matches, but they can be super dangerous if the defending team isn’t organized.
RFS Fights Back
Even though they were behind, RFS didn’t give up. Just five minutes after Malmö’s second goal, they responded with a goal of their own. From a short corner, Roberts Savalnieks crossed the ball into the box, and Darko Lemajic jumped up and scored with a header.
Now the score was 2-1, and the Latvian fans had hope again.
Second Half: Malmö Stays Strong
After halftime, Malmö made sure that RFS couldn’t score again. In fact, RFS didn’t even get one shot on goal in the second half! Malmö’s defense did a great job closing down space and not letting RFS get near their goal.
Meanwhile, Malmö didn’t take many shots either, but they made their one chance count. In the 58th minute, Hugo Bolin made a perfect pass to Haksabanovic, who didn’t miss this time. He sent the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.
That goal made it 3-1, and Malmö looked in control again.
Soccer Fact: A through ball — like the one Bolin made — is a pass that splits the defenders and gives the attacker a clear path to the goal. It’s one of the best ways to create scoring chances.
Final Blow: A Penalty Goal
Just before the final whistle, Malmö got a penalty kick. Haksabanovic was fouled inside the box by the RFS goalkeeper, and the referee pointed to the spot. A penalty is a free shot from 12 yards out with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Lasse Johnsen stepped up to take the kick. Even though Maric guessed the right way, the shot was too strong and too well-placed. Goal! It was now 4-1 for Malmö.
Soccer Fact: Penalty kicks are converted about 75%–80% of the time in professional soccer.
What Happens Next?
Malmö now takes a big three-goal lead into the second leg, which they’ll play at home in Sweden next Wednesday. Unless something really surprising happens, they should move on to the Third Qualifying Round.
There, they’ll face either:
FC Copenhagen (a strong team from neighboring Denmark), or
Drita, a team from Kosovo, which would be a longer trip and a different kind of challenge.
Malmö fans are already dreaming of a return to the Champions League Group Stage, where they would get to face some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Final Thoughts: Malmö on a Mission
Malmö FF showed in Riga why they are one of the top clubs in Scandinavia. With smart plays, a solid defense, and clinical finishing, they didn’t just win — they dominated.
Their journey to the Champions League isn’t over yet, but with performances like this, they look ready to go all the way to the group stage. And who knows? Maybe this is the year Malmö makes some serious noise in Europe again.
Stay tuned!
