Match ends, Molde 3, Dundalk 1.
MoldeMolde3DundalkDundalk1
Dundalk equalled the Europa League record of five straight defeats in the group stage as the League of Ireland side lost 3-1 to Molde in Norway.
It comes four days after Dundalk beat Athlone 11-0 to set a record for the biggest win in FAI Cup history.
Headed finishes from Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Ohi Omoijuanfo gave Molde a 2-0 half-time lead in a one-sided game.
Martin Ellingsen headed in the third before a superb consolation strike from Jordan Flores in added time.
Dundalk boss Filippo Giovagnoli was banned from the Aker Stadion dugout and club fined £45,000 by Uefa because he does not have the relevant qualification to be involved at European level.
The visitors, with their qualification hopes over after four defeats, rested a number of key players ahead of the FAI Cup final this weekend and they rarely threatened as Molde dominated throughout.
Deserved opener
It was only a matter of time before Molde made the breakthrough and it came on 30 minutes as an unmarked Eikrem headed in at the nearpost from Birk Risa's cross.
The second goal came from another Risa cross from the left - this time it was met at the backpost by Omoijuanto and the striker headed across keep Gary Rogers into the bottom corner.
Dundalk's only first-half chance came just before the break with Flores going through on the left but he fired just over.
There was a lucky escape for Dundalk after 57 minutes when Sheriff Sinyan managed to miss from a yard out after Rogers parried a Omoijuanfo header.
But the third arrived 10 minutes later as Ellingsen headed down at the backpost from a corner with the ball going through the legs of Rogers before going in.
Molde pressed for a fourth and Mathis Bolly clipped the Dundalk woodwork before Flores had the final say by arrowing into the top corner from 25 yards.
Line-ups
Molde
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Linde
- 20Wingo
- 6GregersenBooked at 52minsSubstituted forHussainat 68'minutes
- 5Sinyan
- 3RisaBooked at 84mins
- 17AursnesSubstituted forChristensenat 78'minutes
- 7Wolff EikremSubstituted forJamesat 78'minutes
- 11Ellingsen
- 19HestadSubstituted forMoströmat 79'minutes
- 99OmoijuanfoSubstituted forBollyat 86'minutes
- 14KnudtzonBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 9Moström
- 10James
- 12Craninx
- 15Christensen
- 16Hussain
- 22Brynhildsen
- 26Ranmark
- 27Holmgren Pedersen
- 30Bolly
Dundalk
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Rogers
- 3GartlandBooked at 66mins
- 44BoyleSubstituted forClearyat 61'minutes
- 4Hoare
- 2Gannon
- 10SloggettSubstituted forMcEleneyat 61'minutes
- 5ShieldsSubstituted forMountneyat 68'minutes
- 6Flores
- 23Dummigan
- 27KellySubstituted forMcMillanat 73'minutes
- 17OduwaSubstituted forDuffyat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Duffy
- 8Mountney
- 11McEleney
- 15Leahy
- 16Murray
- 20McCarey
- 21Cleary
- 24Wynne
- 29McMillan
- 30Corcoran
- Referee:
- Daniel Siebert
- Attendance:
- 600
Match Stats
Home TeamMoldeAway TeamDundalk
- Possession
- Home75%
- Away25%
- Shots
- Home26
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home12
- Away2
- Corners
- Home12
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away4
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Molde 3, Dundalk 1.
Goal!
Goal! Molde 3, Dundalk 1. Jordan Michael Flores (Dundalk) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Sean Gannon following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Dundalk. Conceded by Henry Wingo.
Post update
Foul by Tobias Christensen (Molde).
Post update
John Mountney (Dundalk) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. John Mountney (Dundalk) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Booking
Erling Knudtzon (Molde) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Erling Knudtzon (Molde).
Post update
John Mountney (Dundalk) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Mathis Bolly (Molde) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Mattias Kent Moström.
Substitution
Substitution, Molde. Mathis Bolly replaces Ohi Omoijuanfo.
Post update
Attempt missed. David McMillan (Dundalk) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Michael Duffy with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Dundalk. Conceded by Tobias Christensen.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jordan Michael Flores (Dundalk) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Booking
Birk Risa (Molde) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Birk Risa (Molde).
Post update
Sean Gannon (Dundalk) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Leke James (Molde).
Post update
Sean Hoare (Dundalk) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
