At Brann Stadion in Bergen, Brann and FC Midtjylland produced a breathless 3–3 draw in the UEFA Europa League league stage, Round 7, a result that underlined both Brann’s resilience and Midtjylland’s status as one of the competition’s form sides. The Norwegians twice came from behind and snatched a point deep into stoppage time, a result that leaves Brann on 9 points with a negative goal difference but still in the playoff picture, while Midtjylland move to 16 points and consolidate their position among the top-ranked qualifiers.
First-half analysis
The tone was set almost immediately. Midtjylland struck first on 4', when centre-back Martin Erlić finished after being set up by Philip Billing, punishing Brann before the hosts had settled. Freyr Alexandersson’s side responded well, and their pressure told on 19' as striker Noah Jean Holm levelled, assisted by right-back Denzel De Roeve, to restore belief around Brann Stadion.
The visitors, coached by Mike Tullberg, showed why they sit near the top of the Europa League standings by regaining the lead just past the half-hour. On 31', Júnior Brumado found the net with a normal-play goal, re-establishing Midtjylland’s advantage at 2–1. With no further cards or major incidents recorded before the interval, the first half closed with the Danes ahead, having been more ruthless in the key moments despite Brann’s attacking intent.
Second half & tactical shifts
The second half quickly turned physical and tactical. Billing, already influential with an assist, went into the book for a foul on 49', a yellow card that slightly altered his risk profile in midfield. Just three minutes later, Tullberg acted: on 52', Billing was withdrawn, with Pedro Bravo coming on in his place. The like-for-like midfield change suggested a desire to maintain control in the centre while protecting a booked player.
Alexandersson responded from the Brann bench. On 59', midfielder Markus Haaland made way for Felix Horn Myhre, injecting fresh legs into the middle of the park as the hosts chased an equaliser. Midtjylland then adjusted their own midfield structure on 63', withdrawing Valdemar Byskov for Darío Osorio. The Chilean’s impact was immediate but double-edged: he picked up a yellow card for a foul just two minutes later on 65', underlining the rising intensity.
Brann’s persistence earned reward on 68'. Emil Kornvig converted from the penalty spot to make it 2–2, dragging the Norwegians back into the contest. Yet Midtjylland again showed their set-piece or box presence two minutes later. On 70', Erlić struck for the second time, this time assisted by fellow defender Lee Han-Beom, to put the visitors 3–2 up and seemingly on course for another statement away win.
Alexandersson then turned to his bench for a late push. On 76', he made a double change: midfielder Thore Baardsen Pedersen went off for forward Bård Finne, and left-back Vetle Winger Dragsnes was replaced by defender Joachim Soltvedt. Bringing on Finne for a midfielder was an attacking gamble, while Soltvedt’s introduction at full-back added fresh energy down the flank.
Midtjylland made their final recorded change on 85', with Aral Şimşir replaced by forward Edward Chilufya, a move that hinted at exploiting space on the break. But the drama belonged to Brann. In stoppage time, a VAR review confirmed a penalty for the hosts on 90+7', with Soltvedt at the heart of the incident. The defender then stepped up himself to convert the spot-kick (listed at 90'), sealing a 3–3 draw that felt like a victory for the home crowd.
Statistical deep dive
The numbers underline how finely balanced the contest was. Possession was split exactly 50–50, with Midtjylland marginally sharper in circulation, completing 199 of 291 passes (68% accuracy) compared to Brann’s 181 of 282 (64%). Yet it was Brann who carried the greater attacking volume and threat.
Alexandersson’s side fired 23 total shots to Midtjylland’s 10, with an impressive 11 shots on goal versus the Danes’ 7. Brann also racked up 11 corners to 4 and generated a significantly higher expected goals figure of 3.34 compared to Midtjylland’s 1.88, underlining that the hosts consistently carved out better chances. The visitors, though, were more clinical, scoring three times from relatively limited opportunities. Both goalkeepers ended with zero goals prevented in the data, suggesting the scoreline broadly matched the quality of chances created.
In terms of discipline, Midtjylland’s 17 fouls and two yellow cards (Billing and Osorio) contrasted with Brann’s 9 fouls and no bookings. The Danes were forced into a more rugged approach as Brann chased the game, particularly in the second half.
Standings & implications
In the broader Europa League landscape, the draw keeps Brann on 9 points with a -1 goal difference (9 scored, 10 conceded), sitting 22nd in the overall league-stage ranking but crucially in a promotion spot towards the 1/16-finals playoffs. Their home record in the competition (2 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat, 7–7 goals) remains a foundation for that push.
For Midtjylland, the point lifts them to 16 points, a +8 goal difference (16 for, 8 against) and 4th place overall, firmly in the bracket for direct progression to the 1/8-finals. With five wins from seven and only one defeat, this draw in Bergen looks more like a minor stumble than a setback for one of the tournament’s most consistent sides.
