Rapid Vienna Overcomes FC Santa Coloma 3-1 in Conference League Qualifier

Rapid Vienna secured a 3-1 victory against FC Santa Coloma in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round at Estadi Nacional in Andorra la Vella, giving the Austrian side a strong advantage before the return match at Allianz Stadion.

The game was goalless at the break after a competitive opening period. Santa Coloma mounted pressure with efforts from Predrag Muñoz and others, while Rapid squandered chances, including a shot from Tonni Adamsen.

Rapid shifted momentum decisively after the interval. In the 50th minute, Serge-Philippe Raux Yao headed in a Yusuf Demir corner to break the deadlock. Santa Coloma hit back promptly in the 54th minute, as Muñoz capitalised on Adrià Arjona's pass, outran Nenad Cvetkovic and chipped Niklas Hedl to level the score.

The lead lasted just two minutes. Demir, the ex-Barcelona youth product, dazzled with individual skill, evading defenders to loft the ball over Víctor André Alcaraz and restore Rapid's advantage. Goalkeeper Alcaraz made key stops, including one from Matthias Seidl at close range, while Santa Coloma substitute Dzhoshkun Mihaylov headed wide twice.

Rapid hit the frame of the goal on two occasions—Seidl from range in the 74th minute and Bendeguz Bolla shortly after—before Moulaye Haidara tapped in Petter Dahl's low cross in the 88th minute to confirm the win.

Roughly 300 fans watched, including noisy Austrian support. Scotland's Matthew MacDermid officiated without issuing cards.

Santa Coloma, coached by Víctor Vázquez, fielded Alcaraz; Álex Rasines, Padilla, Guti, David Andrade; Miguel López, Ander Barrenetxea (Roberto Rodríguez, 68'), Arjona; Álex Gómez (Andy Villar, 85'), Muñoz (Raly Cabral, 68'), Guillaume López (Mihaylov, 62'). The Andorran champions had progressed past Penybont 4-0 on aggregate.

Rapid, managed by Johannes Hoff Thorup, lined up Niklas Hedl; Leopold Auer (Mamadou Sangare, 79'), Cvetkovic, Raux Yao (Roman Schöller, 74'), Bolla; Demir, Seidl, Romeo Amane (Nicolas Bajlicz, 66'), Christian Wurmbrand (Dahl, 66'); Adamsen (Haidara, 66'), Ercan Kara. The 32-time Austrian champions ended last season fifth.

In the other Andorran tie, Atlètic Club d'Escaldes lost 4-0 at FC Vaduz, with goals from Mischa Eberhard (11', 54'), Juan Cabrera (80') and Dejan Sorgic (89'). The return is Thursday at 4pm at Estadi Nacional.