Sørum hat-trick helps Helsingborg see off Śląsk

Thomas Sørum scored a hat-trick as Helsingborgs IF beat WKS Śląsk Wrocław to seal their UEFA Champions League play-off place with a 6-1 aggregate victory.

After their 3-0 first-leg win in Poland, the hosts were well placed at kick-off, and despite Śląsk taking the lead through Cristián Díaz, Sørum hit a treble to lift Helsingborg into the next round.

Perhaps predictably, the visitors dominated the first half as they sought to reduce the deficit, and there was no surprise when Díaz darted into a good position and opened the scoring on 31 minutes. Though Śląsk continued to run proceedings, they could not capitalise on their advantage and Helsingborg made them regret it two minutes before the break. Alfred Finnbogason found a way through to goal from the right wing, lifted to ball over the keeper and Sørum tapped his side level from Helsingborg's only real first-half chance.

The situation worsened for Śląsk four minutes after the restart, when Sørum doubled his tally for the night, finishing after Finnbogason chested the ball into his path. With the stuffing knocked out of Orest Lenczyk's men, Helsingborg were in complete control and on 68 minutes Sørum made sure of the match ball, putting the finishing touch to another Finnbogason assist for his hat-trick.

Finnbogason passed up the chance to get his own name on the scoresheet four minutes later, when Mariusz Pawelec conceded a penalty. The Icelandic international stepped up to make it 4-1, but his effort was kept out by a smart save from Marián Kelemen. Helsingborg advance, while a UEFA Europa League play-off awaits Śląsk.