Hibernian vs Malisheva

Hibs needed just nine minutes to halve the aggregate deficit. Martin Boyle drove at the Malisheva defence and slipped a pass to Owen Elding, who finished low past the goalkeeper from inside the box.

Passlack doubled the lead six minutes later, arriving unmarked at the back post to turn home from close range after a flowing move down the right flank. Easter Road was rocking.

Nathan Lowe made it 3-0 on the night — and 3-2 on aggregate — in the 35th minute. Elding turned provider, threading a through-ball for the Stoke City loanee, who slotted calmly past the keeper.

The outstanding Boyle put the tie beyond doubt in the 57th minute. The Australian winger collected possession 25 yards from goal, danced through a cluster of blue shirts and dragged a low shot into the bottom corner. Former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan, commentating on BBC Sportsound, called it "a bit of magic."

Malisheva pulled a consolation goal back in the 83rd minute through substitute Omer Bajraktari, who curled a stunning 25-yard strike past Raphael Sallinger. But Hibs held firm through four minutes of stoppage time.

Passlack's 15th-minute goal — making it 2-0 on the night — transformed the mood inside Easter Road. After Elding's opener had given Hibs hope, the German wing-back's strike visibly deflated the Malisheva players, who suddenly looked vulnerable to every Hibs attack. The aggregate deficit was wiped out before half an hour had elapsed.

Martin Boyle (Hibernian) — Player of the Match. The Hibs captain scored one and assisted another in a tireless display. His 57th-minute solo goal was the decisive moment of the tie. Scott Allan on BBC Sportsound: "Martin Boyle showed he's still the go-to man."

Owen Elding (Hibernian) — The forward scored the crucial ninth-minute opener that gave Hibs a foothold in the tie and turned provider for Lowe's goal. "Owen Elding looked fantastic at times," Allan added.

Nathan Lowe (Hibernian) — The Stoke City loanee provided the physical focal point David Gray wanted, scoring the vital third goal and leading the line effectively. Gray said post-match: "Nathan gives us that focal point so you can vary the way we play around that."

Felix Passlack (Hibernian) — The German wing-back's early goal doubled Hibs' lead at a critical moment, arriving late at the back post to finish a slick move.

The first-leg match in Kosovo saw Malisheva produce two big moments from limited opportunities. At Easter Road, the story was reversed. Hibs' three first-half goals came from eight shots before the break, reflecting the aggressive, direct approach Gray demanded after the limp display in Pristina. Sallinger was rarely tested until Bajraktari's late stunner. The 4-1 scoreline flattered Malisheva — Hibs hit the woodwork twice and missed several presentable chances, with Tom English on BBC Sportsound noting: "They did their work early... but I'd like to have seen a few more goals, given their dominance." Hibs created 1.96 xG to Malisheva's 0.84 according to post-match data, reflecting a one-sided contest that the scoreboard only partially captured.

Hibernian advance to the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round where they will face Shkendija of North Macedonia, who beat Bravo from Ljubljana 4-3 on aggregate. The first leg will be played at Easter Road on Thursday 6 August 2026. David Gray's side open their Scottish Premiership campaign at home against Motherwell on Sunday 2 August — just three days after this draining European night. Hibs were without Jamie McGrath, Nicky Cadden and Callum Wright through injury for this tie.

Malisheva exit European competition for the 2026/27 season. The Kosovan side had stunned Hibs 2-0 in the first leg on 23 July but could not replicate that performance at Easter Road.

David Gray called it "fully deserved" and he was right — but also admitted Hibs "should have been out of sight." The intensity of the first 35 minutes delivered exactly what the tie demanded, but the drop-off after Boyle's goal and the sloppy concession to Bajraktari are warning signs ahead of tougher tests against Shkendija and then domestically. A good night for Scottish football, but Gray knows there is more to come.

Player of the Match: Martin Boyle (Hibernian)