WSG only knocks Wacker out of ÖFB Cup after penalty shootout

WSG Tirol emerges as derby winner in the ÖFB Cup Round of 16.

The Bundesliga club eliminates FC Wacker Innsbruck with a 4:3 victory in a penalty shootout. The score was 1:1 after 90 minutes, and 2:2 after extra time.

The visitors started the match with great vigor in front of 16,071 spectators at Tivoli, getting off to a flying start.

After Lukas Hinterseer had already created danger twice, Wattens took the lead in the fifth minute. Michael Olakigbe set up Husein Balic in the penalty area with a cross, who headed in for 1:0.

Gstrein scores a spectacular equalizer

While the Bundesliga club continued to press high, Innsbruck slowly found their way into the match and equalized after just over a quarter of an hour.

Mouhamed Sy allowed a pass from Adrian Lechl into the box to run through, and Luis Gstrein took the ball directly from just outside the penalty area, converting it spectacularly (16th).

As the match progressed, WSG ran out of ideas in attack. Nikolai Baden Frederiksen (26th) and Marc Striednig (28th) only threatened from distance.

At the other end, Lechl had a great chance to take the lead, but his header after a cross from Köchl went just over Hamzic's goal (30th).

WSG launches late offensive

The hosts came out better after the break. While WSG continued to lack ideas in attack, Matthew Evans (49th), Gstrein (58th), and Lechl (60th) created danger.

While Wacker was largely better in the game for much of the second half, the Bundesliga club woke up late: Baden Frederiksen tested Juri Kirchmayr with a powerful free-kick (76th), and Oswald tried his luck from distance (81st).

In the closing minutes, WSG launched an offensive: Substitute Murat Satin had a chance after a low cross from Moritz Wels, but Kirchmayr was able to clear (83rd). Moments later, a shot from Satin went just over the bar (84th).

After Wels also hit only the crossbar from a tight angle at the edge of the six-yard box (87th), Wacker still had a chance to score the winner, but Hamzic saved a shot from Okan Yilmaz on the turn (88th).

Sabitzer scores in extra time - but it's not over

Shortly after the start of extra time, WSG had a chance to take the lead again, Hinterseer got a shot away in the penalty area, but Kirchmayr kept his team in the game with a great save (93rd).

But Wacker also had good chances: Owusu tested Hamzic from distance (94th), and a header from Kopp went just wide of the goal (105.+2).

In the final stages of extra time, goals were finally scored: Wels was thwarted by Kirchmayr, but substitute Thomas Sabitzer bundled the rebound over the line (110th).

Just six minutes later, Innsbruck came back into the match once more: Gabriele Biancheri rose high to meet a cross from Christopher Weinzierl and brought Wacker back into the game with his first competitive goal (116th).

Shortly before the end of extra time, Wattens threatened the goal again, but Kirchmayr diffused a shot from Satin with a brilliant save, and Striednig's follow-up shot went just wide (120th).

Dramatic penalty shootout

In the penalty shootout, several players' nerves failed them.

On Innsbruck's side, Wibowo and Galle first missed against Hamzic, who saved their attempts. As the sixth shooter, Owusu had the chance to decide it but only hit the crossbar.

For WSG, Wels, Goiginger, and Kubatta all failed against Kirchmayr. Ultimately, WSG goalie Hamzic became the hero of the evening, successfully saving Weinzierl's penalty into the left corner and securing the Bundesliga club's progression.