Nordsjælland ended their unbeaten run against St Gallen with a 3-2 victory at Berit Sitterstadion on Wednesday evening. The Danish side had beaten the Swiss hosts 1-0 just seven days earlier and now extended that advantage in the UEFA Conference League Playoff round.
The opening exchanges saw Nordsjælland take the lead through J. Lahteenmaki in the 14th minute. St Gallen responded quickly, with L. Gortler converting a penalty in the 21st minute to level matters. P. Amoako restored the Danish advantage just three minutes later before A. Balde equalised again in the 28th minute.
By then, St Gallen were down to ten men. M. Stevanovic received two yellow cards in the 39th minute and was sent off, leaving the hosts to play most of the second half with a numerical disadvantage. They made six substitutions in total, trying to find a way back into it.
It was H. Rasmussen who found that way in the 82nd minute, heading home to give Nordsjælland the winner. The Danish goalkeeper made four saves compared to two for his counterpart, while St Gallen's effort was largely spent in the final third.
The statistics tell you what you need to know about the match. St Gallen registered 15 shots with an expected goals figure of 3.24, while Nordsjælland managed 12 shots and 1.68. Possession stood at 43 per cent to 57. Many shots with one goal means chances went begging.
The result means Nordsjælland sit comfortably in control of the tie. St Gallen still have a chance, though they will need to overcome both the deficit and the memory of Stevanovic's dismissal. Things came to a head in that first half and the hosts never got out of second gear afterwards.