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

Rapid Vienna claimed a 3-1 win over FC Santa Coloma in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round at Estadi Nacional in Andorra la Vella, positioning the Austrian team favourably ahead of next week's return fixture at Allianz Stadion.

The match remained scoreless at half-time despite early pressure from both sides. Santa Coloma created opportunities, including a right-wing cross from Predrag Muñoz in the 28th minute that evaded his teammates and a wayward shot from Tonni Adamsen for Rapid.

The second half saw Rapid transform their approach. A defensive error by Guti gifted possession to Romeo Amane, leading to a one-on-one chance for Ercan Kara, which Víctor André Alcaraz saved. Moments later, in the 49th minute, Serge-Philippe Raux Yao headed home from a Yusuf Demir corner to open the scoring. Santa Coloma equalised swiftly as Adrià Arjona's lofted pass released Muñoz, who outpaced Nenad Cvetkovic and chipped Niklas Hedl in the 53rd minute.

Rapid regained the lead almost immediately through Demir, the former Barcelona prospect, who weaved past two defenders before lifting the ball over Alcaraz in the 55th minute. The visitors dominated thereafter, with Alcaraz denying Matthias Seidl from point-blank range. Santa Coloma substitute Dzhoshkun Mihaylov headed wide from Álex Rasines' pass in the 65th minute and missed another headed chance from David Andrade's cross five minutes later.

Rapid struck the woodwork twice—Seidl from distance in the 74th minute and Bendeguz Bolla soon after—before Moulaye Haidara sealed victory in the 88th minute, converting Petter Dahl's low cross at an empty net.

Around 300 spectators attended, bolstered by vocal Austrian fans. Scotland's Matthew MacDermid refereed, with no cards issued.

Santa Coloma lined up with Alcaraz in goal; Rasines, Padilla, Guti and Andrade at the back; Miguel López, Barrenetxea (Roberto Rodríguez, 68'), Arjona in midfield; and Álex Gómez (Andy Villar, 85'), Muñoz (Raly Cabral, 68') and Guillaume López (Mihaylov, 62') up front. Coached by Víctor Vázquez, the Andorran champions had advanced past Penybont 4-0 on aggregate previously.

Rapid, under Johannes Hoff Thorup, started Hedl; Auer (Horn, 79'), Cvetkovic, Raux Yao (Schöller, 74'), Bolla; Demir, Seidl, Amane (Nicolas Bajlicz, 66'), Wurmbrand (Dahl, 66'); Adamsen (Haidara, 66') and Kara. The Austrian outfit, with 32 league titles, finished fifth last season.

In the parallel Andorran match, Atlètic Club d'Escaldes fell 4-0 at FC Vaduz. Mischa Eberhard netted twice (11th and 54th minutes), with Juan Cabrera (80th) and Dejan Sorgic (89th) completing the scoreline under interim coach Aldo Papadopulos. The return leg is Thursday at 4pm at Estadi Nacional.