Elfsborg in seventh heaven

IF Elfsborg made light work of FC Daugava Daugavpils in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie, winning 7-1 in Boras to all but secure their place in the next round.

Marcus Rohdén's strike was all that separated the sides at the interval but the Swedish side's class told after the break. After an own goal by Daugava Daugavpils captain Jūrijs Sokolovs, further strikes from Lars Nilsson, Rohdén again and Mohamed Bangura put the result beyond doubt. Although Ibrahim Babatunde then pulled a goal back for the Latvian champions, Viktor Claesson and Sebastian Holmen completed the rout late on.

Jörgen Lennartsson's side raced out of the blocks in the first half and took a 21st-minute lead through Rohdén, who was first to react after Daniel Mobaeck's shot was saved. Dominant in possession, the home side had plenty of chances to widen their advantage but their profligacy ensured Daugava Daugavpils went into half-time within touching distance.

Elfsborg stepped up a gear in the second period, however, forcing an own goal from Sokolovs and notching a third thanks to Nilsson's opportunism. Rohdén and Bangura were next on the scoresheet, although the former was subsequently denied a hat-trick by some fine goalkeeping by Jevgenijs Nerugals.

A close-range header from Babatunde gave Ivan Tabanov's team a flicker of hope with 12 minutes remaining but that was extinguished in the final moments, Claesson and Holmen wrapping up a massive victory for the Swedish titleholders.