Seven fantastic minutes enough for the play-off

Aker Stadium, Molde, Norway, 4.8.2015.

FK Molde – GNK Dinamo 3:3 (1:3)

Referees: Michael Oliver, Stuart Burt, Lee Betts, Lee Mason (all England)

Attendance: 7017

Molde: Horvath - Linnes, Toivio, Forren, Rindaroy - Mostrom (75. Svendsen), Hussain (87. D. Hestad), Singh, E. Hestad (77. Gabrielsen), Elyounoussi - Kamara

Dinamo: Eduardo - Pinto, Sigali, Šimunović, Pivarić - Ademi, Goncalo - Soudani (62. Hodžić), Rog (75. Ćorić), Pjaca - Henriquez (54. Antolić)

Yellor card: Forren (45., 72.), Hussain (86.) / Goncalo (32.), Eduardo (45.), Antolić (80.), Hodžić (86.), Pinto (90.)

Red card: Forren (72.)

Goals: 1:3 Hussain (43.), 2:3 Elyounossi 11m (52.), 3:3 Kamara (75.) / 0:1 Pjaca (16.), 0:2 Ademi (20.), 0:3 Rog (23.)

Dinamo is in the Champions league play-off round! That is the most important fact after a thrilling game in Molde where spectators saw six goals, three penalties, red card and numerous chances. Modri had a dream opening of the game and 3:0 lead after 23 minutes but teams played the last 20 minutes with 3:3 on the scoreboard; just enough for Dinamo to qualify for the next round.

Modri came to Norway with 1:1 from Zagreb and wanted to score and win; easy to say but much harder to achieve. Coach Mamić decided for 4-2-3-1 formation but Dinamo didn't open the match as wished. Molde players were faster, always on the ball and after first chance they got the best on in the 8th minute – penalty kick.

Sigali brought down Kamara, at least that is what English referee saw, Molde striker placed the ball on the spot and sent it over the goal. As time went on Dinamo played better, the pass was getting faster and in the 16th minute Croatian champions started "7 minute madness". In the 16th minute persistent Pjaca pushed Molde's defensive line into a mistake he converted into the lead.

Four minutes later Henriquez made a nice run, Rog's shot was saved by Horvath but captain Ademi was on the rebound to extend the lead. Dinamo was on fire and in the 24th minute it was 3:0! This time Modri did the job on the left side where Pivarić found Pjaca who made a brilliant run and a pass to Henriquez, Horvath once again saves first attempt but Rog was there to score a header for brilliant and unbelievable 3:0.

Most of the fans, home and away, thought it was game over in Molde but the home team had something else on their mind. They pushed forward and searched for the goal which eventually came in the 43rd minute when Hussain made a nice run through the midfield before placing the ball below the post. Halftime was still far away and in additional time English referee once again pointed to the spot after Eduardo brought down Hussain.

This time Singh took the ball and placed it on the spot but Eduardo made a brilliant save with his hand to leave things at 3:1. At the start of the second half, you can probably guess it by now, another penalty for Molde. It was third luck for Molde when Elyounoussi finally scored from 11 metres to make it 3:2 in the 52nd minute. Dinamo almost responded immediately when Soudani had a 100% chance but his shot was blocked at the goal line.

Modri had several nice chances to score the forth goal and finish off things in Molde but they failed to score. In fact, in the 72nd minute Forren received second yellow card and Molde was left with a man down but despite that scored the equaliser three minutes later. It was a nice action on the left side and Kamara converted the cross into 3:3 and 20 minutes "of fear in Norway".

Molde didn't have any real chances but every time the ball was on Dinamo's half of the pitch Modri fans probably closed their eyes. Eventually, the game ended 3:3 and Dinamo went through to the next round on away goals. In the end, the better team is still in the Champions league but it certainly wasn't easy; to play or to watch.

Dinamo players, coaching staff and fans have a reason to celebrate because with this win Modri secured UEFA Europa league group stage. The Champions league play-off draw is on Friday at 12:00 when Modri will find out their last opponent on their way to the Champions league group stage.