Ten-man Metalist make light work of Malmö

FC Metalist Kharkiv made light of Jonathan Cristaldo's first-half dismissal to win in comprehensive style at Malmö FF and climb to the Group G summit, while all but ending the hosts' UEFA Europa League qualification hopes.

Jiloan Hamad's delicate finish opened the scoring for Malmö after 22 minutes, but their lead lasted just ten minutes before Cristaldo levelled. The Argentinian goalscorer was red-carded shortly afterwards, but, despite their numerical disadvantage, the Ukrainian challengers went ahead via Fininho's drive before half-time. Edmar then guided in a header to make it three after the interval and Marko Dević rounded the win off via a delightful finish.

Without a point at the foot of Group G, Malmö needed victory to maintain their slim qualification hopes and they started with purpose. Miljan Mutavdžić's low drive flew just wide, and the danger signs were not heeded by Metalist. As a result, Mathias Ranégie was able to pick out Hamad's run behind the defence and the 20-year-old lobbed superbly over Oleksandr Goryainov.

The visitors, who have not lost all season in either domestic or European competition, immediately sparked into life. José Ernesto Sosa lofted a cross to the back post, where Cristaldo generated remarkable power on his header to force the ball into the top corner.

The Metalist momentum looked to have been stopped in its tracks when the 22-year-old goalscorer was then shown a straight red card following an incident with Pontus Jansson, but the Ukrainian side kept up their free-flowing play and were rewarded on the stroke of half-time when right-back Cristian Villagra pulled a cross back across goal for Fininho to blast into the top corner.

The evening only got worse for Malmö as Edmar lost his marker from Cleiton Xavier's corner shortly after the break to flick in the third. Dević then stole the ball from Jansson, sold Daniel Andersson a dummy and chipped in beautifully to seal the outcome.