FC Midtjylland have taken a 1-0 half-time lead against Southampton in their Europa League playoff second leg at the MCH Arena.

The visitors were quickest off the starting blocks as, just four minutes in, Jose Fonte fired goalwards from a corner, but the ball was headed off the line.

Moments later Graziano Pelle found Jay Rodriguez with a crossfield pass, and the latter's cutback found James Ward-Prowse, whose subsequent effort was blocked and frantically cleared away.

Southampton continued to push forward and create chances, but they were caught out in the 23rd minute as the ball was given away to Morten Rasmussen, who found space in the box before finishing low past Maarten Stekelenburg.

Midtyjlland then almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Pione Sisto curled the ball over from the left of goal, the Saints looking troubled as they stood 45 minutes away from a potential European exit.