Celje Fight Back From Two Down to Draw 2-2 With Salzburg
Celje fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with RB Salzburg at Stadion Z'dežele on Thursday, October 22, in matchday 3 of the Europa League, snatching a dramatic stoppage-time point against the Austrian side.
Salzburg made a fast start away from home. Sota Kitano gave the visitors an early lead in the 9th minute, and they doubled it right at the start of the second half when Jesper Lindstrøm scored in the 46th minute to put Salzburg firmly in control at 2-0.
Celje, playing in the Europa League league phase for the first time in the club's history, refused to fold. They halved the deficit when Blaž Kramer scored in the 50th minute to give the Slovenian hosts a foothold back in the match. The home crowd sensed a chance, and Celje continued to push forward in search of an equaliser as the game wore on, with Salzburg unable to find a third to put the result beyond doubt. The breakthrough finally came deep into stoppage time, when Armandas Kučys struck in the 90th minute to level the score at 2-2 and snatch a dramatic point for the Slovenian side.
The result lifts Celje up to 29th in the 36-team league phase table, a welcome point after a difficult start to their maiden campaign in the competition, having lost both of their opening two matches, 2-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen and away to Omonia. Salzburg, who had been cruising at the interval, remain in 21st, their position unchanged by the draw. For Salzburg, the result will feel like two points dropped against a side ranked well below them in continental football, while Celje's late resilience will give them real confidence heading into their next fixture, away to Sturm Graz on November 5. Salzburg, for their part, travel to Anderlecht on the same date as they look to bounce back from twice letting a two-goal lead slip in this match.