Triple Strike Allows Weak Rapid to Celebrate Late

SK Rapid remained uninspired for a long time against Paide Linnameeskond and was in danger of only drawing against the Estonians. However, three late goals ultimately secured a clear 4-1 victory in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League 3rd qualifying round.

As they did against Altach, the Green-Whites, who made six changes to the starting lineup, got off to a perfect start in the Estonian capital.

After referee Danilo Nikolic initially awarded a goal kick and then a corner, the decision was once again overturned after a VAR review - Niki Wurmbrand had struck defender Victor Hugo on the arm. Bendegúz Bolla coolly converted the resulting penalty to make it 1-0 for the Hütteldorf side (5').

Goal-scoring opportunities were scarce thereafter: Despite periods of almost 70 percent possession, the visitors showed errors in their passing game. A long-range shot from Tonni Adamsen went just over the bar (22'), while Daniel Cabral sent a shot wide of Niklas Hedl's goal at the other end (25').

Paide Equalizes After Rapid's Best Phase

The Hütteldorf side then had their best spell: Tilio shot just wide of the goal after a low cross from Jonas Auer (34'), then a shot from Louis Schaub was blocked - though Bolla had gone down in the box moments before, but it was not enough for the refereeing team (36').

Shortly after, Raux-Yao surged across the field with a burst of energy, but his shot landed in the hands of Paide keeper Jarju (38').

Shortly before halftime, however, the hosts equalized: After a corner kick to the near post, Nikita Baranov kept the ball alive, Raux-Yao headed the ball against the crossbar in a duel with Abdourahman Badamosi, and Daniel Luts reacted quickest to tap in the equalizer (40').

Badamosi even had an opportunity to take the lead moments later, but Hedl managed to defuse his shot in the penalty area (42').

Hütteldorf Side Unable to Step Up

After the restart, it took a few minutes before Rapid became dangerous. Wurmbrand broke through on the right wing eight minutes after the restart, but Gulliksen just couldn't reach the cross at the five-meter line.

After that, the intensity increased, but goal-scoring opportunities remained scarce: A shot from Gulliksen at the edge of the penalty area was the most exciting moment in this phase (62').

It wasn't until about 20 minutes before the end that danger arose from a mistake in the Paide defense: A sloppy pass from Edgar Tur reached substitute Yusuf Demir, whose shot, however, was saved by Jarju (71').

Green-Whites Wake Up Late

In the final phase, Rapid woke up, but Adamsen missed from the corner of the five-meter box after a blocked Seidl shot (79').

A few minutes before the end, a double strike decided the match: Demir couldn't get a through pass from Adamsen past the Paide keeper, but Moulaye Haidara managed to, putting Rapid back in front (83').

Shortly after, Petter Nosa Dahl sealed the match: After the Estonians lost possession in their own half, the ball eventually found its way to Bolla, whose low cross was put into the net by the substitute winger.

In injury time, Haidara bagged his brace after an assist from Adamsen (90'+3).

The second leg will take place on Wednesday in Hütteldorf.