Kučys Stuns Salzburg as Celje Snatch Dramatic 2-2 Draw

Celje 2-2 Red Bull Salzburg. The Slovenian underdogs staged a breathtaking late comeback to share the spoils with Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg in a pulsating UEFA Europa League group stage clash that had everything – early shocks, tactical gambles, and a stoppage-time heart-stopper.

Red Bull Salzburg’s Early Domination

The visitors struck first blood after just 9 minutes when Japanese winger Sota Kitano latched onto Damir Redzic’s threaded pass, drilling low past Žan-Luk Leban to silence the Stadion Z’dežele. Salzburg’s high press suffocated Celje – their 53% possession and 7 first-half shots (3 on target) painting a picture of control, while Celje’s Artemijus Tutyskinas and Pijus Širvys both saw yellow trying to stem the tide.

Celje’s Second-Half Resurgence

Just 47 seconds after the restart, Salzburg doubled their lead through substitute Jesper Lindstrom, ghosting in to convert Redzic’s second assist of the night. But Celje roared back. Blaž Kramer’s 50th-minute strike, a lashed finish from Svit Sešlar’s cutback, reignited belief. The hosts grew bolder – Yaya Dukuly’s introduction sparked their left flank, his 60th-minute entry coinciding with Salzburg’s grip slipping (Celje outshot them 6-4 in the second half).

The Dramatic Finale

With Salzburg clinging on, substitute A. Kučys became the hero in the 90th minute, meeting Dukuly’s whipped cross with a thumping header beyond Christian Zawieschitzky. The stadium erupted as Salzburg’s Bartosz Mazurek picked up a late yellow in the frantic finale – a fitting coda to a match where both xG stats (Salzburg 1.72, Celje 1.47) proved this was no fluke.

A Night That Means Everything

For Salzburg, two points dropped leaves qualification hopes wobbling after surrendering a two-goal lead. But for Celje? This was more than a point. It was a statement – battling back against one of Europe’s finest academies with 47% possession and 8 shots to their 15. The Slovenians’ next Europa League test just got infinitely more intriguing.

Key Moments

9′ ⚽ Red Bull Salzburg — Sota Kitano (assist: Damir Redzic)

46′ ⚽ Red Bull Salzburg — Jesper Lindstrom (assist: Damir Redzic)

50′ ⚽ Celje — Blaž Kramer (assist: Svit Seslar)

90′ ⚽ Celje — A. Kučys (assist: Yaya Dukuly)