“Elliot Stroud stepped up and converted a penalty to give Mjällby the lead, rewarding the home side for sustained pressure that had also forced a yellow card on Cristian Martínez shortly before.”
Pivotal“Substitute Suleiman Camara equalised for Slovan Bratislava just twelve minutes after coming on, levelling at 1-1 and immediately shifting momentum toward the away side.”
Pivotal“In the dying seconds, Manasse Kianga — another Slovan substitute — latched onto Suleiman Camara's assist to fire home and complete a stunning late turnaround, giving Bratislava a 2-1 first-leg lead.”
Pivotal
Mjällby
Slovan Bratislava
Mjällby looked set to take a narrow lead into the second leg after Elliot Stroud converted a penalty on 61 minutes, but Slovan Bratislava's second-half substitutions changed the complexion of the tie entirely. The Slovak side, who edged possession at 54% and created slightly more dangerous attacks across the ninety minutes, grew into the game after a subdued first half and were rewarded when substitute Suleiman Camara equalised on 78 minutes before fellow substitute Manasse Kianga struck deep into stoppage time to complete a stunning turnaround. Mjällby, who conceded 17 fouls across the match and saw Áki Samuelsen booked in the first half, lacked the clinical edge from open play — their only shot on target came from the spot — and will be left to rue a lead that slipped through their fingers in the closing stages. Slovan head into the second leg holding a one-goal advantage, leaving Mjällby needing a win in Bratislava to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
How entertaining was this match?
assist: Suleiman Camara
Goal! Manasse Kianga scores, making it 1-2, assisted by Suleiman Camara.
Abdoulie Manneh comes on for Jeppe Kjaer.
Abdoulie Manneh comes on for Jeppe Kjaer.
Alen Mustafic is on, and Gajdos Artur is off.
Alen Mustafic is on, and Gajdos Artur is off.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Elliot Stroud scores, making it 1-0.
Cristian MartínezYellow CardCristian Martínez receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Corner awarded.
Yellow card issued to Aki Samuelsen.
Corner awarded.
Corner kick awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off! The referee is Nick Walsh.
Mjällby host Slovan Bratislava in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round at Strandvallen on August 4, with a place in the next round on the line. The Swedish side face a tough task against a Slovan team riding momentum from a strong away win in Tbilisi, while Mjällby look to lean on home advantage to overcome a worrying run of domestic form.
