Ibrahim Said celebrates scorng for MotherwellImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Ibrahim Said (left) sent Motherwell into the Conference League play-offs with a pair of special solo goals

At a glance

  • Superb solo double from Said sends Motherwell into Conference League play-offs

  • Tie was finely poised after Well and HJK Helsinki drew last week in Finland

  • Last season's Europa League runners-up, Freiburg, await Scottish side

ByAmy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

Motherwell will face last season's Europa League finalists Freiburg for a place in the Conference League proper after two sensational Ibrahim Said goals saw off HJK Helsinki at a bouncing Fir Park.

The Nigerian - who missed the 1-1 first-leg draw in the Finnish capital last week because of visa issues - ensured HJK knew exactly who he was with a pair of outrageous solo goals to send the Steelman through to the play-offs.

His first, a thunderous finish after driving down on goal and leaving defenders for dust, was somehow eclipsed 13 minutes later on the hour mark after waltzing through the visiting rearguard and poking beyond a helpless Maatej Markovic.

Said's stunning show spearheaded a special performance from the Steelmen who - after an end-to-end, entertaining opening - took an impressive grip of this tie.

The seeds were sown with a strong ending to the first half where Said, Tawanda Maswanhise, Regan Charles-Cook and the imperious Emmanuel Longelo tested the nervy visitors.

But the Finns didn't take heed of the warning shots and were left shellshocked by Said's speed and superb finishing.

Alfred Johansson's side now have a glamour tie against the German giants, who will visit Lanarkshire next Thursday, before hosting the Scots in two weeks time.

Analysis: Special Said steers Steelmen to heavyweight free hit

What was the chat? Motherwell need a centre-forward? Said said hold on the now.

The Steelmen could still do with a goal-scoring striker, but that will not be the chat among fans tonight. Instead, it will be about travel plans to Germany thanks to their showman, Said.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder was unplayable in the second half. HJK didn't know where he was at any given moment, except when he was whisking away in celebration.

It was no shock his first came from work down the left. Longelo was tremendous, yet again, and traumatised the Finnish right-hand side.

But Said cut right through the spine of their team for his second. Two better individual goals you'll struggle to see all season.

There wasn't exactly pressure on Motherwell, but there was a heap of hope and expectation – quite rightly – given the wave the club are riding and their performance last week.

Now, against Freiburg, they have a free hit. A mighty fine and well-tuned side who gave John McGinn's Aston Villa a go in the Europa League final a few months ago.

Perhaps brother Paul McGinn can ask for a few tips. But then again, who's to say this high-flying Motherwell will want them?

What Johansson said

Figure caption,

Johansson credits players for reaching Conference League play-offs

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson: "We were brave and looked better on the ball than we did on Sunday, that was most pleasing. The effort is always there so it's about maintaining the bravery and playing the way we want on the ball and tonight we did it.

"Tonight I'm going to go home and feed my baby so my wife can sleep. We'll come back in tomorrow and recover, then we look forward to the next task which is Sunday."

What's next?

Motherwell travel to face Championship side Stenhousemuir in the League Cup on Sunday 14:00 BST).

They then host Freiburg in the Conference League play-off first leg next Thursday.

Player of the match

Number: 7 A. Cicale
Average rating 10.00
Number: 19 I. Said
Average Rating: 9.43
Number: 45 E. Longelo
Average Rating: 8.31
Number: 5 M. Moormann
Average Rating: 8.25
Number: 3 J. Girdwood-Reich
Average Rating: 7.92
Number: 8 L. Fadinger
Average Rating: 7.92
Number: 17 Regan Charles-Cook
Average Rating: 7.67
Number: 11 A. Lowry
Average Rating: 7.62
Number: 1 A. Paulsen
Average Rating: 7.58
Number: 12 O. Priestman
Average Rating: 7.38
Number: 4 J. Knight-Lebel
Average Rating: 7.00
Number: 27 M. Booth
Average Rating: 6.92
Number: 25 O. Whyte
Average Rating: 6.92
Number: 18 T. Maswanhise
Average Rating: 6.91
Number: 22 J. Koutroumbis
Average Rating: 6.83
Number: 77 W. Vogt
Average Rating: 5.92
Number: 23 E. Wilson
Average Rating: 5.75

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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