FC Midtjylland got the new Danish Superliga off to a strong start on Sunday as they secured a 3-2 away victory against Sonderjyske.
It was an eventful match featuring action at both ends of the pitch.
Sonderjyske might well have deserved a point in head coach Fatah Abdirahman’s debut, but FC Midtjylland ultimately prevailed thanks to a goal from Julius Emefile, scored from a very tight angle.
In stoppage time, Sonderjyske were awarded a penalty, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.
Danish national team player Rasmus Nissen Kristensen made his comeback for the Midtjylland side after eight years abroad, marking the occasion with an early yellow card for stopping Olti Hyseni during a counter-attack.
Otherwise, the visitors dictated the play offensively, a dominance that paid off with the opening goal after 25 minutes.
Valdemar Byskov delivered a perfect corner kick to Mads Bech Sorensen, who rose impressively to head the ball into the corner of the net.
However, Sonderjyske restored parity less than two minutes later when central defender Magnus Jensen found himself completely unmarked in front of the goal during a cross and easily headed in the equalizer.
The goal-fest was now in full swing, and shortly afterwards, Sonderjyske goalkeeper Marcus Bundgaard committed a costly blunder. Valdemar Byskov sent a harmless effort towards the goal, but Bundgaard fumbled the ball into his own net, restoring Midtjylland's lead.
Sonderjyske managed to respond before the break once again, thanks to a defensive error from the visitors. This time, Mohamed Cherif Haidara was given the space to head home the equalizer, making it 2-2. Sonderjyske remained dangerous after the break, not least when Midtjylland goalkeeper Elias Olafsson nearly gave the ball away right in front of his own goal.
However, Midtjylland always looked dangerous throughout the encounter and managed to make it 3–2 midway through the half.
Substitute Julius Emefile carried the ball into the box but took a heavy touch; nevertheless, the 19-year-old striker managed to score from an acute angle near the byline to make it 3–2.
In the closing stages, Sonderjyske pushed for an equalizer and came very close. In stoppage time, they were awarded a penalty, and Magnus Jensen was ready to take the kick when the referee was summoned to the VAR monitor.
The problem was that the power had apparently gone out, but after several minutes, the referee found an alternative screen. After reviewing the sequence, the penalty was overturned due to offside.
