Malmö FF defeated Halmstads BK 2-1 in the final group stage match of the Svenska cupen, securing advancement to the quarterfinals. The team will not have home advantage due to tiebreakers with Mjällby. Goalkeeper Johan Dahlin made a comeback after 496 days of absence.
Malmö FF faced Halmstads BK at Eleda Stadion in the final group stage match of the Svenska cupen. The game ended 2-1 in favor of MFF, advancing the team to the quarterfinals as one of the four top group winners with nine points, a goal difference of six, seven goals scored, and two warnings.
Taha Ali was fouled in the penalty area after just over 20 minutes, and Erik Botheim converted the penalty for 1-0. Anders Christiansen commented: “We let him take the penalties right now, but it's good. He's confident, he's in form, and in a good period after his injury.” In the 41st minute, Malte Persson equalized for Halmstad after Johan Karlsson lost the ball in his own penalty area.
Christiansen then scored the winner in the last minute of the first half with a shot into the far corner: “Always nice to get the ball in those areas, then it's Erik [Botheim] and Taha [Ali] who do a good job to create the chance.” Attendance was 11,196 spectators. At halftime, Robin Olsen was substituted by Johan Dahlin, who returned after 496 days of absence: “I've done this before, so it was just about not overthinking the situations.”
MFF misses out on home advantage in the quarterfinals because Mjällby was ranked higher from the previous Allsvenskan season, despite equal points and statistics. Captain Anders Christiansen said: “If we want to aim to win the cup and play in Europe, we shouldn't be so dependent on whether we play home or away.” The quarterfinal draw takes place on Monday evening at 21:10.
