Ibrahim Said delivered a decisive strike in the dying minutes, ensuring Motherwell opened their Scottish Premiership campaign with a win over Hibernian at Easter Road. The decisive goal arrived in the 85th minute, capping off a swift counter‑attack and sealing a 2-1 victory for the visitors. The match began with Motherwell midfielder Oscar Priestman involved in a mixed spell early on, earning a penalty for his side before later conceding one. Five minutes before the break, Lukas Fadinger took advantage of a clumsy challenge on Priestman and slipped the ball home, giving the Steelmen a 1-0 lead at the end of a relatively quiet first half.
Hibernian responded quickly after the interval. Regan Charles‑Cook, who had missed an earlier golden opportunity to double Motherwell's advantage, saw his chance evaporate when a high ball was mis‑controlled by Jason Kerr. Shortly thereafter, Martin Boyle capitalised on a defensive error when Priestman bundled him over, restoring parity in the 56th minute. The home side pressed for a winner, with two powerful attempts cleared off the line by Motherwell goalkeeper Martin Moorman.
As the game entered its final stages, Said, who had already netted three times for the club this season, found space on the edge of the box and calmly slotted his fourth goal, delivering Motherwell the decisive lead. Motherwell entered the match after finishing fourth in the previous season, a position they secured with a win at Easter Road.
The team has adapted well to the departure of former manager Jens Berthel Askou, and new boss Alfred Johansson has already recorded three wins from three fixtures, suggesting a smooth transition. Both squads had fresh faces on the bench after their respective European fixtures on Thursday. Emmanuel Longelo was the sole Motherwell player to make a debut, while Hibernian also introduced newcomers in an effort to inject fresh energy into the contest.
The opening exchanges saw Hibs dominate possession, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Ethan Lowe dragged a half‑chance wide, and Motherwell, still missing a fully fit, recognised centre‑forward, relied heavily on Said’s ability to carry the ball from deep positions. As the half progressed, Motherwell grew more comfortable on the ball, with crisp passing down the right flank eventually leading to Priestman being taken down by Josh Mulligan.
The resulting penalty was calmly converted by Fadinger, marking his third goal of the campaign. After the break, Charles‑Cook unleashed a powerful shot from 22 yards that brushed the post, and later, a high ball fell to him in a one‑on‑one with goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger. Instead of rounding the keeper, Charles‑Cook opted to shoot at him, missing a chance to extend the lead.
Fadinger continued to threaten from distance, firing two long‑range attempts that tested the Hibs keeper. Alex Paulsen was called into action for the first time when he produced a spectacular diving save from a volley by Lowe, keeping Motherwell’s lead intact. Motherwell’s momentary lapse allowed Hibs to equalise. Priestman, under pressure, attempted a back‑pass to his goalkeeper, but a misplaced pass found Boyle, who bundled over the Australian defender and calmly slotted home the equaliser.
The goal boosted Hibs’ confidence, and they began to create a series of promising opportunities. Owen Elding forced a fingertip save from Paulsen with a 30‑yard effort, while Lowe’s shots were repeatedly cleared off the line by Moorman after the Motherwell keeper could only palm away crowded crosses.
Later, Lowe attempted to finish a low cross from Elding but sent it wide. In the final minutes, Motherwell introduced debutants Alex Lowry and Jamie Knight‑Lebel. A substitution by Olly Whyte in midfield sparked a swift counter‑attack. Lowry exchanged a quick one‑two with Said, released Williams, whose square pass was side‑footed into the net by the Nigerian forward, restoring Motherwell’s lead.
Paulsen later denied a shot from Ante Suto, and Elding headed over his own chance. Lowry’s pace and vision continued to trouble Hibs, and Motherwell managed to hold on for the win.
Overall, the match showcased Motherwell’s resilience and tactical discipline under new manager Alfred Johansson. Despite early setbacks and a brief period of uncertainty, the team’s ability to absorb pressure, execute swift transitions, and rely on the experience of players like Said and Fadinger proved decisive. The victory not only gave them three points but also set a positive tone for the season ahead, suggesting that the Steelmen will remain competitive in the race for European qualification. For fans wishing to relive the action, highlights are available on the Sky Sports app, and live streaming options are provided for those without a Sky subscription.
The match also underscored the importance of depth in the squad, as debutants made meaningful contributions, hinting at a promising future for Motherwell’s emerging talents.