Taison one-two helps Metalist down Malmö

A fine double from Taison put FC Metalist Kharkiv within touching distance of the knockout stage, cementing their place at the top of Group G while all but ending Malmö's hopes.

A bright start from the point-less Swedish side rocked the group leaders, but Taison put Metalist ahead seconds after the half-time interval following a great run. He then snuck a free-kick in at the far post to double the lead before Mathias Ranégie pulled one back for Malmö and Fininho restored the two-goal advantage.

The Blues were immediately on the front foot, with Ranégie and Markus Halsti both heading off target before Papa Gueye just about prevented Daniel Larsson from scoring. However, having conceded ten goals in their first three group games – more than any other team – the Swedish side were always likely to give up chances, and so it proved as Daniel Andersson had to steal the ball off the toe of Oleg Shelayev on the goal line before Johan Dahlin saved well from Marko Dević.

It was level at the break, but under a minute after the restart Taison collected the ball on the halfway line and set off on a lightning burst forward, first outpacing the midfield, then defence, before finishing delicately with the outside of his boot for a fantastic goal.

The 23-year-old Brazilian got his second, and third of the group stage, ten minutes later, whipping a free-kick in from wide left which neither attack nor defence could connect with as it skidded in at the back post.

Ranégie's neat turn and finish pulled the Swedish side back into it with 24 minutes remaining, but the game was up when Taison carved his way down the right and pulled back for Fininho to slot home his second goal in two Group G games.