Granada CF 2 - 0 Molde: Finished | 2021-03-11 | Europa League

Goalkeepers	G	GC	SAV
Rui Silva	0	0	4

Forwards	G	GA	S	FC	FW
Roberto Soldado 81' 75'	1	0	3	3	2

Midfielders	G	GA	S	FC	FW
Maxime Gonalons	0	0	0	0	3
Kenedy	0	0	3	0	0
Yan Eteki	0	0	0	1	0
Jorge Molina 26'	1	1	2	0	0
Antonio Puertas 91'	0	0	0	2	1

Defenders	S	FC	FW
Dimitri Foulquier	0	2	1
Víctor Díaz	0	2	1
Domingos Duarte	1	0	1
Nehuen Pérez	1	1	1

Substitutes	FC	FW
Isma Ruiz 81'(Roberto Soldado)	1	0
Jesús Vallejo 91'(Antonio Puertas)	0	0
Raúl Torrente	0	0
Antonio Aranda	0	0
Arnau Fàbrega	-	-
Aarón	-	-

Goalkeepers	G	GC	SAV
Andreas Linde	0	2	4

Forwards	G	GA	S	FC	FW
Björn Sigurdarson 73'	0	0	0	2	0

Midfielders	S	FC	FW
Fredrik Aursnes	1	1	1
Magnus Wolff Eikrem	2	0	1
Eirik Ulland Andersen 86'	0	1	5
Martin Ellingsen	4	2	1
Eirik Hestad 65'	0	1	0

Defenders	S	FC	FW
Marcus Holmgren Pedersen	1	0	0
Kristoffer Haugen	0	1	1
Sheriff Sinyan	0	1	1
Stian Rode Gregersen	0	0	0

Substitutes	S	FC	FW
Erling Knudtzon 65'(Eirik Hestad)	0	1	1
David Datro Fofana 73'(Björn Sigurdarson)	0	0	1
Mathis Bolly 86'(Eirik Ulland Andersen)	1	0	0
Emil Breivik	0	0	0
Adrian Ugelvik	0	0	0
Martin Bjørnbak	0	0	0
Birk Risa	0	0	0
Etzaz Hussain	0	0	0
Mathias Eriksen Ranmark	0	-	-
Oliver Petersen	0	-	-

90'+4'

Indeed, it is just seven days until these two lock horns again, at what is fast becoming Europe's premier destination for rearranged knockout matches in the shape of Budapest's Puskas Arena, a venue which will host the 2023 Europa League Final down the line. Until then however, thank you for joining us - and have a great week!

90'+4'

Erling Moe will know that his side still have a chance - but that they will have to fight tooth and nail to turn this one around now. It was always going to be tough making the long journey to the south of Spain, but they won't be much better off trekking to Hungary next week either. They're going to need to find something special in a week's time.

90'+4'

Diego Martinez's side and their supporters might have been happy to dine out on that famous win over Napoli in the round-of-32 for a long time. But in finding the other theoretical underdog left in the draw, they've set themselves up for a shot at the final eight. This is the same lead they took into the second leg last month; will it be enough?

90'+4'

Jorge Molina's neat first-half finish and a barnstorming volley from Roberto Soldado means that it is Granada who take the first leg in their Europa League last-16 tie with Molde - and put one foot into the quarter-finals. The dream continues apace for the hosts at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes - but they'll know they are only halfway there. Full-time, it finishes Granada 2-0 Molde.

90'+4'

FULL-TIME: GRANADA 2-0 MOLDE

90'+3'

This European campaign just gets better and better for Granada, doesn't it? It's hard to say that their fans were likely expecting a potential last eight appearance in Europe at the start of the season - but they're well on their way to the quarter-finals. What a run this has been for them.

90'+1'

Jesus Vallejo is Granada's latest arrival, replacing Antonio Puertas as this game heads into injury time.

90'

To compound a day to forget at the office, Eikrem is now booked for remonstrating with the referee. The Molde man believed Bolly - already a bit of a livewire spark up front in these closing stages - should have had a penalty, and the referee presumably took offence at his tone. There's four minutes to come.

88'

Of course, an away goal could be doubly vital here, given Molde still have to travel almost 1,500 miles for their "home" tie, relocated to Budapest due to Covid-19. They're on the road effectively twice, which is a tough break for them.

86'

Mathis Bolly replaces Andersen in Molde's latest change, as the clock ticks down on this game.

85'

Linde with the save again! Kenedy has been much quieter this second half but the Granada man comes very close to making it three as he nudges a fast header towards goal, only to see it tipped away by the keeper.

83'

Do Molde deserve to go down by two goals here? It's been an education for them, in a way that the Hoffenheim game perhaps wasn't. That ultimately boiled down to a herculean defensive effort, and Linde has been grand in goal again; Granada have just known when to unlock them. A lot of work needed for the second leg from Erling Moe.

81'

It's been a job well done for Soldado and the Granada man is off now, replaced by Isma Ruiz for the last stretch.

79'

Aursnes! It's almost the goal Molde have been craving all game, a quick close-range tap-in attempt off a low cross from Haugen following the corner. Silva does well to save it cleanly.

77'

Fofana looks to offer an immediate response for the visitors now and sees a shot blocked by Duarte, out for a corner. Two goals and one man down is not the recipe Molde hoped to follow in this first leg.

75'

Molina pulls that one back almost accidentally, but it is an assist regardless. What a time to strike for Granada.

75'

GOAL! ROBERTO SOLDADO WITH THE VOLLEY FOR GRANADA! 2-0! That's a corker of a finish for the hosts! They win a corner and pressure the Molde back-line - but it is a kind deflection off an attempted Molina back-pass that is smashed in at the near post by his team-mate instead, crashing in behind Linde off the woodwork. This is dreamland for Diego Martinez.

73'

That is not just a blow for the final quarter of this game for the visitors, one that will take the wind out of their sails, but it is a headache for Erling Moe next week too. He'll surely be without a star face for the reverse leg now.

73'

Molde make their latest change now, as David Datro Fofana replaces Sigurdarson.

71'

Ellingsen is off! It's a second yellow and Molde are down to 10 men! Only seconds after his first booking, he lunges in with a challenge that catches Puertas and hacks him to the ground. There may be some theatrics in there, but the referee won't be swayed; Ellingsen is off!

70'

Soldado with the shot! The Granada man catches the deflection off his own initial pass and volleys a low effort in towards the left post that requires some lightning reflexes from Linde to save. A fine effort and a great stop.

68'

What a chance for Granada! Gregersen is the man with the last-gasp sliding defensive effort to deny a close-range finish for Puertas, only moments after turning Sinyan inside out. Ellingsen meanwhile is booked for a foul in the build-up.

65'

Molde make their first change of the game now too, with Erling Knudtzon on for Hestad.

65'

Soldado trims Haugen just under 25 yards out from the Granada goalmouth and Eikrem is the man to turn it in from the free-kick. It's a superb delivery - and a great stop from Silva to tip it over the crossbar for an ultimately harmless corner.

63'

Granada have had twice as many corners as Molde and conceded half as many fouls in this game so far. They're not winning every one-on-one situation, but they appear to be making the most of them.

61'

Now it is Diaz's turn to clear the speculative Molde ball pushed towards the Granada box away for a corner. The set-pieces in this game are gradually improving but this one isn't too taxing for the hosts to deal with.

59'

Pedersen and then Sinyan do sterling jobs to deflect the delivery and subsequent corner away for a second kick from the flag out wide - and only then do Molde manage to push the ball out of their own box. Granada still have plenty of sting in their tail here.

57'

Diaz and Hestad get into a tussle for the ball near the edge of the Molde box and it is the Granada man who wins a promising free-kick. Not only that, it is a yellow card for the latter.

55'

End-to-end stuff! Gregersen concedes a Granada corner as the hosts pound down the wing and cause defensive problems - but the visitors then counter swiftly from the set-piece, which concludes when Ellingsen drifts a shot straight to Silva's arms.

53'

Eikrem with the lob shot! The Molde man can't quite get the angle right to dip Andersen's cut-back delivery over Silva, but it's not a bad effort. The visitors looking to pick up the pace from where they left it before the break.

50'

Puertas now is the endpoint of a nicely flowing Granada move down the centre-left channel into the final third, his last ball too lead-footed to chase. Linde snaffles it easily enough as it enters his box.

48'

Sigurdarson sees the second yellow card of the game now for a particularly cynical challenge on Gonalons. He'll have to watch his step from now on.

45'+1'

The visitors have conceded five fouls compared to just two by Granada so far, and that is cutting up their momentum on occasion. They were building sustained pressure after conceding, looking for that response; another five minutes in that half and this may have been an all-square affair.

45'+1'

Jorge Molina's composed close-range finish is the difference in the Europa League last-16 first leg between Granada and Molde - but this match is far from finished. The hosts have looked more threatening but their visitors have grown in confidence throughout the game. This is nicely poised; at half-time at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes, it is Granada 1-0 Molde.

46'

We are back underway for the second half. Can Granada carry a crucial advantage here over into next week's second leg or will Molde be able to muster a response - and with it, a vital away goal?

45'+1'

HALF-TIME: GRANADA 1-0 MOLDE

45'

There's going to be one added minute here at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes.

44'

Now it is Molde's turn to win the free kick, Andersen the recipient after Puertas brings him down. It's flicked on and Granada manage to muscle the visitors away from their box for now.

42'

Sinyan hacks down Soldado with a particularly industrial challenge about 35 yards out from goal on the left wing. Kenedy tries to swing a delivery in with a reverse effort but can't beat the first man and Molde spirit the ball away to safety.

40'

Andersen! The Molde man this time is there to latch onto the cut-back delivery and his shot gets deflected in a tangle of legs inside the Granada box. Eikrem tries a follow-up but the visitors are flagged for offside and the attack comes to nothing.

39'

Haugen runs hard on a rare incursion down the left for Molde but his sharp cross finds nobody waiting in the box, the ball skittering long to play out on the far side of the pitch.

37'

The corner is whipped in low, bobbling around all over the shop and Silva eventually claims after juggling it perilously close to the left post. An error there and Molde could have snatched an equaliser.

36'

Perez and Sigurdarson have a clash of heads in midfield, both going up for a high ball, and the latter stays down. He gets back to his own feet after his side have won themselves a corner and seems good to continue.

34'

The Granada clearance inside their own box is particularly harried but it does the job as Molde are unable to latch onto the low ball drifted towards the penalty area.

33'

Granada - who have just picked up another free-kick, this one 45 yards or so out in midfield - have actually had less ball so far, with only 44 per cent of possession. The hosts play short, Molde steal and counter and Eteki fouls Andersen, drawing the first yellow card of the game.

31'

The visitors pepper the same channel again and Diaz concedes the corner this time. But once again, it is an effort that leaves Granada's back four with a fairly easy task to clear.

29'

Granada industriously clear their penalty area again, the corner not leaving Silva or his defence unduly troubled once more. Molde look like they could face a fight to find something here today.

28'

Molde look to strike back immediately and win themselves a corner, again placing their focus on coming down the right edge. There's been more attacking prowess down that flank for the visitors than anywhere else so far.

26'

You don't see those everyday too; it is an assist for goalkeeper Rui Silva, who sparked that move with a set-piece ball from inside his own half. Granada have been on top of this game from the first whistle and they deserve their lead.

26'

GOAL! JORGE MOLINA PUTS GRANADA IN FRONT! 1-0! The pressure was going to tell eventually and it comes from a defensive snafu. Molde fail to deal with the long ball, the bounce taking it beyond Sinyan, and the striker is there to latch on alone and drill it past Silva one-on-one. First blood goes to the hosts.

24'

Molde weather the storm of the latest set-piece once again and break back downfield. They're on a hiding to nothing, Hestad missing support up front, but it eases the burden on the defence at the very least.

23'

Linde with the save! That is a cracker of a stop from the keeper, pushing Soldado's close-range header over the crossbar with a neat punch. It's Kenedy again pulling the strings up front for Granada.

20'

Granada win themselves another corner on the counter-attack and, again, the set-piece is an underwhelming one for the hosts, Molina pushing a high header over the crossbar. There's not been too much from the flag out wide to trouble either keeper seriously so far.

18'

Molde attempt to string another move together and find purchase down that right flank again, but Silva reads the cut-back ball intelligently to snaffle it before anyone else. Hestad sticks a cross in a moment later and the goalkeeper is wise to the effort once again too.

16'

He's doing it again! Now Kenedy lofts an attempt from the lip of the penalty area, lobbing his finish over the crossbar as he tries to bend it over three defenders and the goalkeeper. He's looking in the mood today.

14'

Kenedy! Oh, the Granada man can't quite believe he's miscued that one. A gorgeous cross is whipped in from the left edge, to find him at the far post under pressure from Sinyan - and he entirely misses his attempted shot, the ball skittering past him for a goal-kick.

13'

Both sides are yet to get their eye in from the corner post, as Molde's effort is skimmed out of the box by the Granada defence. Ellingsen tries his luck with a half-volley return and skews it well wide of the left post.

11'

Foulquier to the rescue for Granada now, as Molde thread their first serious attack of the game together and the defender cuts off a ball sailing towards Sigurdarson, at the cost of a corner.

9'

It's Kenedy again at the end of a Granada break! He's felled in the box this time but the contact is deemed to be legal and the hosts have a corner instead. It's all one-way traffic right now, though this set-piece is pretty soft again.

8'

That's a sloppy foul for Andersen to concede, bodychecking Foulquier wide on the right edge. Perez gets thrillingly close to the end of a Kenedy free-kick twisted into the penalty area, just pushing it wide of the near post.

6'

Kenedy! The Granada man unleashes the first shot of the game, a low left-footed effort after he's fed into the right side of the Molde box all too easily. Linde dives well to save cleanly.

5'

Molde push the game back to midfield without too much success in attack of their own, though Granada are forced to contend with their physical prowess. This could be more than just a technical tussle today.

3'

It's all going the way of the hosts here early on, winning a corner inside the first two minutes after Pedersen is forced to put the block on. Granada win consecutive set-pieces off another deflection, but can't quite make their pressure tell around the box.

1'

We are underway in this Europa League clash between Granada and Molde!

-

The teams are out at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes and we are moments away from kick-off.

-

The danger man today? It's likely Magnus Wolff Eikrem. The Molde forward has been directly involved in seven goals in the Europa League this season, the most by a Norwegian player in a single season in the competition.

-

Granada may have not conceded as many attempts themselves, but they still had to see off 22 shots from Napoli in their second leg encounter. They lost 2-1 to the Serie A side - but with a 2-0 lead from the reverse fixture a week before, still squeaked through to this stage as well.

-

The scope of that 5-2 aggregate victory for Molde over Hoffenheim cannot be underscored enough. The Norwegian side had just 12 shots across both legs combined; less than a quarter of the 52 notched up by the Bundesliga team. It was a stonking upset.

-

Subs: Mathias Eriksen Ranmark, Oliver Petersen, Erling Knudtzon, Adrian Ugelvik, Mathis Bolly, Etzaz Hussain, Emil Breivik, David Datro Fofana, Birk Risa, Martin Bjornbak.

-

MOLDE (4-3-3): Andreas Linde; Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Sheriff Sinyan, Stian Gregersen, Kristoffer Haugen; Eirik Hestad, Fredrik Aursnes, Martin Ellingsen; Magnus Wolff Eikrem, Bjorn Sigurdarson, Eirik Ulland Andersen.

-

Subs: Isma Ruiz, Jesus Vallejo, Antonio Aranda, Raul Torrente, Arnau Fabrega, Aaron Escandell.

-

GRANADA (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva; Victor Diaz, Domingos Duarte, Nehuen Perez, Dimitri Foulquier; Yan Eteki, Maxime Gonalons; Antonio Puertas, Roberto Soldado, Kenedy; Jorge Molina.

-

The visitors meanwhile have made two changes from the side that sneaked that remarkable result over Hoffenheim two weeks ago, with Stian Gregersen and Eirik Hestad both drafted into the starting XI.

-

There's a whopping six changes for the hosts today from the team downed 2-1 by Athletic Bilbao at the weekend; goalkeeper Rui Silva, defenders Domingos Duarte and Dimitri Foulquier and attacking options Antonio Puertas and Jorge Molina are the only survivors.

-

Both teams have never been further in this competition than they have now - indeed, this is Granada's first foray into Europe - and both sprung big upsets over Napoli and Hoffenheim to get here. They're standing on the cusp of something wonderful and neither will want the fairytale to end here.

-

The two lowest-ranked teams left in competition in the current continental coefficient square off in Andalusia today, knowing they sit on the cusp of history. But will it be Diego Martinez's hosts who put their best foot forward? Or can Erling Moe's team nab a vital result on the road?

-

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League, as Granada host fellow relative minnows Molde in the first leg of their last-16 clash at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes.

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