Malmö vs Nottingham Forest, Rangers vs Braga, and More – Europa League Coverage
Live Updates
Major Moments
- Match ended: Villa 2-1 Young Boys
- Goal scored!: Aston Villa 2-1 Young Boys (Joël Monteiro 90+1)
- Game over: Feyenoord defeated 1-3 by Celtic
- Starting XI: Nottingham Forest v Malmö teams!
- Starting players: Rangers and Braga lineups
- Preamble
Latest Standings
These early results have significant impact on the league rankings. Celtic have moved up to the 17th spot and regained position in the secure knockout positions.
| Pos | Side | Matches | Goal Difference | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midtjylland | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 5 | 5 | 12 |
| 3 | Freiburg | 5 | 5 | 11 |
| 4 | Ferencvaros | 5 | 4 | 11 |
| 5 | FC Porto | 5 | 3 | 10 |
| 17 | Celtic | 5 | -1 | 7 |
| 25 | Nottm Forest | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 35 | Rangers | 4 | -7 | 0 |
| 33 | Malmo FF | 4 | -5 | 1 |
Final Score: Aston Villa 2-1
Villa managed to hold on for the three points and moved level on points with table-toppers Midtjylland at the top of the competition table. Villa made hard work of that during the closing minutes.
90+1: Monteiro Pulls One Back
The Swiss side created a hope through Monteiro but only have stoppage time to find an equaliser!
Glasgow Side Wins 3-1
A memorable and crucial win for the Celtic. Even after falling 1-0 down, Celtic roared back with goals from Yang, Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren.
Latest Action
The Birmingham side, meanwhile, retained a 2-0 lead over Young Boys with around five minutes left at the stadium.
Malen's double there sparked furious scenes in the opposition stands, with Young Boys supporters clashing with police. Scuffles broke out and projectiles hurled at both the authorities and onto the pitch, with Malen himself being hit on the head by a drinking vessel.
Team News: Nottingham Forest v Malmö
The Reds: Victor, The defender, Milenkovic, The defender, Morato, Yates, The defensive midfielder, The midfielder, McAtee, Hudson-Odoi, The striker.
Malmö: Ellborg, Stryger Larsen, The center-back, Duric, The full-back, Haksabanovic, Johnsen, Skogmar, Bolin, Gudjohnsen, Busanello.
Official: Harm Osmers (from Germany)
Starting Players
The Glasgow side: Butland, Tavernier, Fernandez, The defender, The full-back, Barron, Diomande, Raskin, Gassama, Danilo, Chermiti.
Braga: Hornicek, Gomez, Lagerbielke, Niakate, The full-back, Zalazar, The experienced midfielder, Gorby, Martinez, The forward, The striker.
Match official: Allard Lindhout (Netherlands)
Historical Context
The European clash and past encounters. The both teams have a historical link, also competing in Forest's most recent continental tour in the mid-90s European competition, but it is the continental championship from 1979 that connects these teams, with the record-breaking signing the English forward scoring the winner of a rather dull championship game to claim legendary status for the the English club.
"The legendary management duo, modestly dressed amid all the festivities and cheers, stood for a moment on a bench quietly watching the mafficking," noted the journalist. This represented an outstanding achievement that it is unlikely to be replicated – from Second Division to European stage in three seasons."
It's also interesting to reflect upon Malmö, who became the first, and to date the last Scandinavian side to reach the final under British coach Houghton.
Tonight's game is a far cry from that peak, closer perhaps to the previous continental meeting between Forest and Malmö in 1995-96. Forest are full of confidence after thrashing Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, while Malmö haven't kicked a competitive ball since 9 November following the completion of Allsvenskan. The general expectation is on the Forest tonight.
Numerous other matches on offer in this clockwatch. The Glasgow club have already been defeated by a Portuguese opponent this season. Rangers are rock bottom of the league rankings at the midpoint of the league phase with no points whatsoever. They badly want a victory if they are to have any opportunity for a comeback for a qualification place.
Updates will continue with all the evening matches and provide the current standings from the earlier matches, including Villa vs Young Boys and Rotterdam vs Glasgow.
