Motherwell and HJK Helsinki both arrive at this third qualifying round first leg in excellent defensive form, having conceded just once each across three ties. Motherwell's home shutout in the previous round and HJK's three-goal away haul highlight two well-drilled but…
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Sign inMotherwell welcome HJK Helsinki to their Fir Park home on Thursday evening with the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie delicately balanced at 1-1. The Steelmen fought back in Finland after Tawanda Maswanhise’s penalty was cancelled out by Teemu Pukki, keeping alive hopes of a first European group-stage appearance since the 2008‑09 UEFA Cup.
Alfred Johansson is still without several senior players for the second leg. Stephen O’Donnell, Paul McGinn, Jordan McGhee, Callum Hendry, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Johnny Koutroumbis are all sidelined, while midfielders Nicky Cadden and Jamie McGrath remain out with calf problems. Ibrahim Said, who missed the first leg because of a visa issue, is available again and should spearhead the attack after scoring the late winner at Hibernian on the opening weekend of the Premiership season.
Tawanda Maswanhise, Scotland’s top scorer in 2025‑26, made his first start of the campaign in Helsinki following a broken jaw and converted the spot‑kick. The forward is set to continue in the front three alongside Willy Vogt and Said, with Alex Lowry pushing for another start after an impressive debut.
HJK Helsinki will again be without David Ezeh and Eemil Toivonen, but head coach Toni Rantanen can recall Mouhamed Gueye to midfield after he was restricted to a substitute appearance against SJK. Till Cissokho, a summer arrival from Rodez, partners Ville Tikkanen in central defence, while former Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki – who has two goals and two assists already in this qualification campaign – leads the line.
Johansson’s reign began with three consecutive victories across all competitions. A 5‑0 aggregate demolition of HB Tórshavn in the previous round was followed by a dramatic 2‑1 Premiership win at Hibernian, where Said struck late. Motherwell had scored at least twice in four straight outings before the 1‑1 draw in Finland, and their attacking momentum will be crucial on a night when a clean sheet guarantees progress.
The Finnish side breezed past Coleraine 8‑0 over two legs in the second qualifying round, with Pukki bagging a brace in the home leg. Domestically, however, they suffered a 3‑0 defeat at SJK immediately before the first meeting with Motherwell, a result that ended a five‑match winning run. HJK have scored in all four European ties this summer, suggesting they will carry a threat on the road.
The two forwards will carry the goalscoring burden at Fir Park. Maswanhise finished as the Scottish Premiership’s leading marksman last season and opened his 2026‑27 account from the spot in Helsinki. Pukki, now 36, remains HJK’s talisman; his predatory equaliser in the first leg underlined the danger he poses even when service is limited. Whichever striker takes the one clear chance could decide who faces Freiburg in the play‑off round.
If Motherwell can negotiate 90 minutes without defeat, they will host the Bundesliga side next week with a place in the league phase at stake – a prize the Lanarkshire club have not tasted for 18 years.
Motherwell
Coach: Alfred Johansson
HJK Helsinki
Coach: Joonas Rantanen
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