Stroud’s Penalty Has Mjällby Dreaming
For a good hour at Strandvallen, this had the makings of one of Mjällby’s biggest nights in years. Elliot Stroud stepped up and buried a penalty in the 61st minute, 1-0, against a Slovan Bratislava side that’s been excellent on the road all season. For a while there, it genuinely felt like Mjällby might pull off something special in this Champions League third qualifying round opener.
Didn’t hold, though. Slovan kept making changes as the second half wore on, throwing on fresh legs, and it worked. 78th minute, Samuel Camara finishes off a chance from fellow sub Mykhailo Kukharevych. 1-1. Just like that, the whole momentum flipped with barely ten minutes left.
Kianga Steals It Deep Into Stoppage Time
Mjällby tried to answer, made changes of their own, went searching for a way back in front. Slovan got the last word anyway. 90+4′, deep into stoppage time, Camara — the same guy who’d just equalized — sets up Malick Kianga, who finishes it. Genuinely brutal way for Mjällby’s night to end after leading for the best part of half an hour.
What It Means Next
Slovan head home with a 2-1 aggregate lead going into the second leg on 11 August, and given how they’ve traveled all season, they’ll go in as clear favourites. For Mjällby, it’s one of those nights where you wonder what could’ve been — matched a proper European side for long stretches, minutes from a first-leg win, and it all came apart late.
Match Summary
Mjällby 1-2 Slovan Bratislava UEFA Champions League, Third Qualifying Round, 1st Leg — Strandvallen, Sölvesborg, Sweden Tuesday, 4 August 2026
Goals: 61′ Elliot Stroud (Mjällby) 1-0 (penalty) 78′ Samuel Camara (Slovan Bratislava) 1-1 (assist: Mykhailo Kukharevych) 90+4′ Malick Kianga (Slovan Bratislava) 1-2 (assist: Samuel Camara)
Result: Slovan Bratislava come from behind to win the first leg 2-1, taking a one-goal aggregate lead into the second leg on 11 August in Bratislava.
For live Champions League qualifying scores and coverage, visit fawanews. Full results and bracket at the official UEFA Champions League website.
