Helsingborg sign off with Twente stroll

With both teams already out, Helsingborgs IF took full advantage of a disappointing FC Twente display to register the first win of their UEFA Europa League campaign.

Early goals from Nikola Djurdić and Alejandro Bedoya put the visitors in the driving seat, before Thomas Sørum added a third in the second period. Dušan Tadić pulled one back for Twente, but Steve McClaren’s side could not prevent a result that lifted Helsingborg into third place in Group L at their expense.

Helsingborg got off to a flying start, taking the lead with just six minutes on the clock. May Mahlangu seized on a loose ball and fed Djurdić, who arrowed an unstoppable shot into the far corner from 25 metres. It was a stunning strike from the Serbian, who also netted twice against Twente on matchday two.

The hosts twice had the woodwork to thank for keeping the deficit to one goal, Edson Braafheid turning onto his own crossbar and Rachid Bouaouzan hitting the upright after a sprightly run, but Helsingborg would not be quelled. A last-ditch challenge denied Bouaouzan a shooting opportunity following a Djurdić surge yet the ball broke nicely for Bedoya, who slotted past Filip Bednarek.

Further chances fell to Mahlangu and Djurdić after the interval before Sørum extended Helsingborg’s lead, converting from close range following a fine run from Bouaouzan. Tadić thumped a free-kick past Pär Hansson to reduce the arrears, but Helsingborg saw out the remaining 16 minutes comfortably.