Rapid Wien Triumph In Thrilling Encounter

In the final match before the international break, SK Rapid Wien handed RB Salzburg their first defeat of the 2024/25 season in a thrilling 3-2 encounter.

The match began with RB Salzburg seizing the early momentum. Just five minutes in, Oscar Gloukh capitalised on a turnover near Rapid’s penalty area, setting up Dorgeles Nene to slot home the opening goal. The early strike had Salzburg in control, and they nearly doubled their lead shortly after, but a promising counterattack fizzled out, allowing Rapid to find their footing in the game.

Rapid Wien slowly grew into the match, and their persistence paid off in the 19th minute when Jansson broke free to equalise with a well-taken finish. The hosts then took the lead before half-time, as Auer’s stunning long-range effort found the back of the net after Janis Blaswich’s initial save.

Salzburg, however, were not to be deterred. In stoppage time of the first half, Petar Ratkov levelled the score with a composed finish, bringing the teams back on level terms at the break.

The second half began chaotically, and Salzburg suffered a blow when Maurits Kjaergaard, recently called up to the Danish national team, was injured. Rapid seized the opportunity, with Jansson breaking through Salzburg’s defence again to score his second goal, putting the hosts 3-2 ahead.

Despite pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Salzburg’s efforts were thwarted by a resilient Rapid defence. The intensity of recent weeks, coupled with the hot conditions, seemed to take their toll on the visitors, and they could not find the energy needed to mount a comeback.

“We started well and almost made it 2-0,” said RB Salzburg coach Pepijn Lijnders. “After that we lost too many balls between the lines and didn’t close down the middle well enough. In many situations we should have played more aggressively, but we didn’t manage that today.

“We had a great start to the season, but of course I knew that things wouldn’t always go so well. What makes it difficult for me today is the fact that the defeat could have been avoided. But that’s just how it is, and we will grow from it.”

SK Rapid Wien are performing strongly in the Austrian Bundesliga, with this victory taking them up to second. Meanwhile, RB Salzburg, despite this setback, remains a formidable force in fourth, just a point behind. They’re also focused on their Champions League campaign, which sees them face Real Madrid, Paris St Germain and Feyenoord, among others.

Rapid Wien, meanwhile, was eliminated from the Europe League by Braga, meaning Conference League football, where Shamrock Rovers, İstanbul Başakşehir and Copenhagen await, among others.