Tabakovic’s Late Strike Gives Salzburg 1-0 Europa League Qualifying Win Over Pafos

Tabakovic Strikes Late as Salzburg Edge Pafos 1-0

Red Bull Salzburg secured a 1-0 victory over Pafos at the Red Bull Arena on Thursday, August 6, with H. Tabakovic scoring in the 88th minute to decide the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match. The late goal settled a closely contested game and gave Salzburg the winning start recorded in this tie.

Salzburg Leave It Late at Red Bull Arena

Salzburg and Pafos remained level for most of the contest, with neither side able to find the breakthrough during the opening stages. The scoreline stayed 0-0 deep into the second half, placing added importance on every late attack at the Red Bull Arena.

Salzburg eventually found the moment they needed in the 88th minute, turning a goalless match into a narrow home victory. With no recent form data available for Salzburg, the result provides a positive outcome in their qualifying campaign, while Pafos suffered a setback after entering the match with a recent record of one loss and one win.

Tabakovic Delivers Decisive 88th-Minute Goal

H. Tabakovic was the decisive figure, scoring Red Bull Salzburg’s only goal two minutes before the end of normal time. The match data records the effort as a normal goal, and it proved enough to separate the teams after an extended period without a breakthrough.

The timing of Tabakovic’s goal made it particularly important, as Pafos had little time to respond before the final whistle. Salzburg’s ability to maintain their position in the match and produce the winning goal so late was the defining feature of their performance.

Disciplinary Drama Shapes the Closing Stages

The match also became increasingly physical as it moved towards its conclusion. David Luiz received Pafos’ first yellow card in the 36th minute, while K. Sema was booked shortly after the restart at 46 minutes.

A. Barry was cautioned for Salzburg in the 75th minute, followed by Pafos bookings for I. Sunjic in the 81st minute and Sema again in the 90th. Sema’s second caution was accompanied by a red card, leaving Pafos to finish the match with a dismissal as Salzburg protected their late advantage.

What the Result Means for Both Teams

The 1-0 result gives Salzburg the victory in this third qualifying round fixture, although no current standings data is available for either team. The outcome therefore cannot be tied to a confirmed league-table position, but it clearly strengthens Salzburg’s immediate position in the qualifying contest.

For Pafos, the defeat ended the match without a goal and was compounded by Sema’s late sending-off. Salzburg will take confidence from Tabakovic’s decisive contribution, while Pafos will be left to reflect on a match that remained within reach until the closing minutes.