Svenska Cupen Recap: Defending Champions Malmö Advance to Semi-Finals

The line-up for the 2025 Svenska Cupen Semi-finals has been finalised after reigning league and cup champions Malmo edged past Elfsborg with a narrow 1-0 victory at Eleda Stadion during the final Quarter-final clash.

This encounter featured two clubs aiming to contend for the 2025 Allsvenskan trophy, yet neither side was able to break the deadlock in regular time.

Although the home team dominated the match and created several opportunities, they lamented their inability to convert as Elfsborg’s goalkeeper, Isak Pettersson, produced a commendable six saves throughout the game.

It only took six minutes into extra time for the pressure to culminate in a pivotal moment when Taha Ali was fouled inside the penalty area.

Isaac Kiese Thelin stepped up to the spot and confidently dispatched the penalty, marking his second goal of this competition and giving The Blue Ones the lead.

The visitors failed to register a single shot on target in response, making the penalty enough for Malmo to secure their third Semi-final appearance in four years – a phase they have previously progressed from to lift the trophy on both occasions.

However, if the Quarter-finals are indicative of what’s to come, Malmo will face a formidable test when they host Goteborg in the last four next week. Goteborg showcased their prowess with an emphatic 4-0 win against Hammarby on Sunday.

Midway through the first half, a corner from Tobias Heintz unexpectedly evaded the chaos in the penalty area, sneaking past goalkeeper Warner Hahn to give the home side the lead.

Just 32 minutes in, the advantage was doubled as Eman Markovic capitalised on a rapid counter-attack.

As the match approached the final 20 minutes, Markovic found the net once more, driving the ball into the bottom corner while Hammarby struggled to clear their lines under mounting pressure.

In the closing stages, the Norwegian completed his hat-trick with a beautifully curled right-footed effort after receiving an exquisite ball from Sebastian Clemmensen.

With 16 Svenska Cupen titles to their name, only Malmo has won more than Goteborg, who boast eight to their credit.

Standing in the way of either club adding to their tally will be six-time champions Norrkoping and three-time winners Hacken, who are set to clash in the other Semi-final.

Norrkoping faced Trelleborg, the sole second-tier team to reach the knockout stages.

The visitors threatened to continue their fairytale run when Felix Horberg opened the scoring just before half-time; however, Tim Prica equalised just two minutes after the interval.

The match proceeded to extra time, but Trelleborg’s hopes of an upset dimmed significantly when Tobias Karlsson received a red card in the 89th minute.

Playing a man down for the extra 30 minutes proved too much for the Superettan outfit, who ultimately conceded to efforts from Sebastian Jorgensen and Isak Sigurgeirsson, sealing a 3-1 win for Norrkoping.

On Saturday, Hacken booked their spot in the Semi-finals with a dramatic late goal from Samuel Leach, whose 94th-minute free-kick was bundled into the net by Abdoulaye Faye, securing a 1-0 away victory over Mjallby.