Nerve-wracking match! Tabakovic secures Salzburg's EL Playoff spot against Pafos

Salzburg survives the third qualification round of the Europa League!

The Austrian Bundesliga club drew 3-3 (0-2) away against Pafos FC, advancing with an aggregate score of 4-3.

After the "Bulls" secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg, the home team was under pressure.

However, the visitors had the stronger start, with the first clear-cut chance in the second minute. Newcomer Mazurek broke through on the left flank and appeared alone in front of goalkeeper Majecki, who spread himself wide and managed to clear at the last moment.

The Cypriots quickly recovered from the initial shock and repeatedly pushed Salzburg deep into their own half. However, it didn't become truly dangerous yet.

Pafos scores early

At the other end, the "Mozartstadt" team missed a chance through Redzic. He narrowly missed the goal (14th minute), and then Pafos attacked. Bruno found Lele with a cross, who won the aerial duel against Boma and headed in for 1-0 (15th minute), making the aggregate score 1-1. The game was now wide open again, forcing both teams to act.

In attack, the Austrian Bundesliga club largely lacked ideas after their active start. Vertessen's free-kick landed directly in Majecki's arms after about half an hour. A little later (34th minute), he made another save after Schmid's shot from outside the box was too central.

Free-kick puts "Bulls" in trouble

Before halftime (37th minute), the visitors suffered another setback. Veratschnig fouled Ioannou, received a yellow card, and conceded a free-kick from a dangerous position. Biel took it. The ball sailed past all players and once again found its way into Salzburg's net.

Even after the break, the visitors quickly came under pressure. A few seconds after the restart, Zawieschitzky had to clear against Sunjic following a misplaced back-pass from Barry.

Tabakovic in goal-scoring form

In response, substitute Baidoo brought momentum; he tried to set up Vertessen, who, however, missed. Tabakovic did better shortly after (54th minute). Redzic showed good technical skill and brought the ball to the center, where the newcomer, after a brief scramble, pulled one back to 1-2.

The "Bulls" kept pushing and, four minutes later, were awarded a penalty after Goldar handled the ball following a cross towards Tabakovic. It was the goalscorer again who sent the opposing keeper the wrong way, turning the game around with his third goal against Pafos overall.

Nevertheless, Salzburg still seemed somewhat unsettled at times. After a misplaced pass, Lele once again appeared in front of Zawieschitzky, who prevented them from taking the lead again (62nd minute). Barry also failed to change the score in the 65th minute.

In the 70th minute, it was Tabakovic again who slotted home a ball parried forward by Majecki.

Salzburg forced to sweat until the end

Giving up was still not an option for the home team. The Salzburg goalkeeper saved against Biel (72nd minute). Dragomir and Ioannou also narrowly missed.

A goal continued to loom. After a set-piece, Salzburg failed to engage in a challenge, allowing Mammadov to score a spectacular goal to make it 3-3 (84th minute). The visitors had to sweat until the end but ultimately advanced with an aggregate score of 4-3.

In the Europa League playoff, Danny Röhl's team will face Swedish champions Mjällby.