2:0 lead squandered

Rapid Vienna v SC Braga, LIVE from 9pm

In the end, Braga were jubilant, but the disappointment at Grün-Weiß was great.

(Bild: Urbantschitsch Mario/Mario Urbantschitsch)

Easy come, easy go ... SK Rapid gave away their ticket for the Europa League group stage within three minutes. The Hütteldorfer squandered a 2-0 lead on Thursday and ultimately couldn't get past Braga with a 2-2 draw. On aggregate, Green-White were eliminated with a 3:4 result.

Like LASK, the Green-Whites will only compete in the third European Cup competition, the Conference League. The six opponents will be drawn on Friday (2.30 pm).

Early own goal
As expected, Rapid coach Robert Klauß opted for Moritz Oswald in central midfield instead of Lukas Grgic, who was suspended after picking up a red card early on in the first leg. The Hütteldorfer started with commitment in front of 21,400 spectators, attacking deep in the opponent's half. The ball was in the net after just six minutes. The German U21 international Arrey-Mbi had deflected the ball into his own net after a corner from Rapid captain Matthias Seidl.

Rapid quickly equalized the result from the first leg.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Rapid made two more dangerous appearances in the penalty area with a header from Nenad Cvetkovic (14') and a too-central overhead kick from Guido Burgstaller (19'), but after that the confident visitors from northern Portugal increasingly took command. A first shot from Rodrigo Zalazar landed in the arms of Niklas Hedl (22'). The home side were lucky in the closing stages of the first half: striker Roberto Fernandez deflected a Zalazar shot onto the bar with his heel. His subsequent header went wide of the goal (41').

Jansson adds to his tally
After the break, Jansson had the 21,400 spectators in the almost full Weststadion cheering. After a high pass from Jonas Auer, the Swede beat Arrey-Mbi on the left and scored into the near corner. Braga then gained a slight advantage, but Rapid remained dangerous on the counter-attack. However, shots from Dion Beljo (64') and Burgstaller (65') were too poorly placed.

The Hütteldorfer were once again able to celebrate.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Rapid gave the game away within three minutes: After losing the ball, Jansson brought down Gabri Martinez in the penalty area. Substitute El Ouazzani converted the penalty safely. A short time later, Martinez was somewhat fortunate to beat Cvetkovic on the left and played back to Ricardo Horta. Braga's captain tucked the ball into the far corner.

Braga went from 0:2 to 2:2 within three minutes.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Rapid did not give up. A goal from Burgstaller was rightly disallowed for offside (81'). Shortly before, the veteran had failed to beat Matheus from an acute angle (80'). The Braga keeper also fished a Seidl free-kick out of the corner (83'). After that, the Portuguese side kept the result relatively safe. Rapid coach Klauß was shown the red card at the end of the game.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Three games in a row without a win
Instead of eight high-profile games in the Europa League, only six games await in the league phase of the Conference League. Rapid's participation in a main European Cup competition for the first time since 2021 was already certain thanks to their promotion in the previous round against Trabzonspor. The Viennese side have yet to lose in three European Cup home games under Klauß. However, they are now without a win in three competitive games ahead of their league clash at home to Salzburg on Sunday (5pm).