Seven-goal thriller! Salzburg edge past Sturm

SK Sturm Graz and FC Red Bull Salzburg serve up a real top-of-the-table thriller!

After two turbulent halves, the Red Bulls celebrate a 4-2 away victory on matchday 12 of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga.

Lightning start for Salzburg

The visitors are clearly the better side early on, rewarding themselves for a strong start and taking the lead with a dream goal! Mazurek powers down the left flank after a throw-in and plays it into the middle for Tabakovic. The Bosnian finishes artistically, flicking the ball into the net with his heel to open the scoring (5')!

Salzburg come close to doubling their lead shortly after, but Mazurek's goal for 2-0 is ruled out for offside (8').

Diakite brace turns the game around

After that, the momentum shifts significantly, with Sturm's Oumar Diakite playing a major role. First, the Ivorian hits the crossbar with a header from a corner, before getting another header away moments later to equalize at 1-1. The goal is confirmed following a VAR check (15').

Just two minutes later, Diakite completes his brace: a superb pass from Stankovic sends the Ivorian through, and he finishes with his left foot past Zawieschitzky. It is already the ninth goal of the season in just seven appearances for the summer signing.

"Red Bulls" fight back before the break

While Graz look dangerous in attack, Salzburg repeatedly find plenty of space defensively. Danny Röhl's side manage to equalize before halftime: a strong pass from Mazurek into the box finds Morgalla, who wins his duel with Hödl and slots the ball home for his first Salzburg goal to make it 2-2 (29').

Shortly after, Danny Röhl is shown a red card! The Salzburg coach is left furious over what he believes was a foul on Redzic and is sent to the stands by the referee for dissent (33'). The teams head into the break level at 2-2.

The second half starts much more quietly, turning into the expected war of attrition: there are plenty of duels, with both teams lurking for second balls. Scoring chances are hard to come by.

High-scoring final phase

Until the 67th minute: a wonderful combination involving Tabakovic, Vertessen, and Redzic, who leaves Balbo behind and scores to restore the lead!

But Salzburg's joy is short-lived! Sturm equalize once again! A long ball from Malic finds Stankovic, Zawieschitzky misjudges it, and Stankovic lofts it over him (70').

Yet just moments later, Salzburg are celebrating again! Lindstrom beats several Graz players with a fantastic dribble and cuts inside to fire home for 4-3 to Salzburg (74')!

It proves to be the winning goal as Salzburg defeat Sturm 4-3!

With the away victory in Graz, Salzburg remain three points behind Rapid, while Sturm are already 14 points adrift of the "Green-Whites."