Austria Vienna Fight Back to Sink 10-Man Liepaja 3-1

UEFA Europa Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round: Austria Vienna 3-1 FK Liepaja

In a night that swung from disbelief to dominance, Austria Vienna overturned an early deficit against 10-man FK Liepaja to claim a 3-1 victory in their Europa Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round first leg — but not before the Latvians landed a punch that left the Generali Arena momentarily stunned.

FK Liepaja’s Lightning Start and Sudden Collapse

The roof nearly came off when Amar Haidara sent the travelling fans into raptures after just four minutes, the Malian forward punishing sloppy Austrian marking to fire Liepaja ahead. But chaos erupted four minutes later as Marvin Martins saw red for a reckless lunge — a decision that flipped the tie on its axis.

Liepaja’s resistance lasted just 11 more minutes before Jonas Feddersen levelled, the Austrian defender rising to meet Philipp Maybach’s whipped cross. The decibels climbed further when Kelvin Boateng — a constant menace — turned home from close range on 29 minutes to complete the turnaround.

Austria Vienna Turn the Screw After Half-Time

With 66% possession and 17 total shots, the Violets poured forward. Reinhold Ranftl sealed it on 66 minutes, drilling home after Matthias Fischer’s clever lay-off. Liepaja’s goalkeeper Danijel Petković made seven saves but couldn’t stem the tide, their fight fading after Rodolphe Ekou’s late yellow summed up a ragged second half.

What This Means for Both Sides

Stephan Helm’s men take a commanding lead to Latvia next week, though that early scare will keep them honest. For Liepaja, Martins’ suspension compounds their misery — but Haidara’s away goal offers a flicker of hope in what remains a mountain to climb.