Molde overcome Ventspils to secure Basel tie

Molde FK are through to the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after a 1-1 draw in Latvia wrapped up a 4-1 aggregate triumph over FK Ventspils.

Consummate victors on home soil last week, Molde once again started the brighter of the two teams. Their dominance of possession, though, was not translated into clear-cut chances and they were behind after 24 minutes. Ventspils left-back Antons Kurakins did the damage from a free-kick.

There were some nervy moments for Molde thereafter, Yosuke Saito going closest to doubling the hosts' lead on the night. However, the Norwegian champions soon reasserted themselves and were level eight minutes before the break thanks to Magnus Eikrem's effort, also direct from a set piece.

With Ventspils' momentum halted, the second half was a slow burner. Molde had the better of the opportunities to pull further clear, with Maksims Uvarenko doing particularly well to thwart Daniel Chima before also keeping out Eikrem's 71st-minute penalty. It mattered not, though, for Ole Gunnar Solskjær's team had already done enough to secure a tie against FC Basel 1893.