Winning Streak Snapped - But Rapid Secures Draw in Scotland

SK Rapid's eight-game winning streak has been snapped.

The Hütteldorf side battled to a 2-2 draw against Heart of Midlothian in the UEFA Conference League playoffs.

After a strong first half, which included an opening goal, the Viennese side lost their rhythm. However, Nikolaus Wurmbrand still secured the equalizer.

Seidl Has a Golden Chance for the Opener

After a mistake-prone start from both teams, Rapid gradually took control. After less than ten minutes, the visitors had their first huge chance to take the lead: Ercan Kara flicked a pass from Tonni Adamsen with his heel into the box to Matthias Seidl, but Beau Reus was able to save the shot (10').

Just a few minutes later, the Hütteldorf side again came dangerously close to scoring. Bendegúz Bolla broke through after a cross from Jannes Horn, but "Hearts" keeper Reus managed to prevent them from falling behind with a brilliant save (13').

Raux-Yao Secures Rapid's Opening Goal

While there was little action from the hosts afterwards, Rapid repeatedly entered the final third. The opening goal then came from a set piece: A short corner kick landed with Seidl at the left edge of the box, whose cross Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao converted in the six-yard box to give Rapid the lead (30').

Only in the closing stages of the first half did the Scots wake up, but Heart of Midlothian did not get any closer to the Rapid goal than through long-range shots from Josh McPake (37'), Claudio Braga (40'), and Pierre Kabore (45').

Hearts Turn the Game Around After the Restart

After the restart, the hosts got into the game better, while Rapid lost control. Their first good move also led to the equalizer: After a pass from Kabore, Bolla lost track of his opponent behind him, McPake drove towards goal, and his square pass was deflected into his own net by Raux-Yao (55').

While the visitors subsequently lost control of the game, the Scots turned the game around: The youngster James Wilson, who had just been substituted in, shot from around 30 meters and scored a spectacular goal to make it 2-1 (62').

Wurmbrand Secures the Equalizer

For a long time, nothing came from Rapid in the second half, until a shot from Nenad Cvetkovic created some danger again (76'). Shortly after, however, the visitors had reason to celebrate.

After a corner kick, Seidl played a ball into the box to Bajlicz; the first square pass didn't reach its target, but his second layoff was converted by Wurmbrand through the legs of goalkeeper Reus for the 2-2 equalizer (79').

In the closing stages, the visitors then pushed for a third goal, but the Green-Whites were unable to achieve it.

The return leg at the Allianz Stadion will take place next Wednesday (6:45 PM).