RB Salzburg stunned Feyenoord in Rotterdam on Wednesday, securing their first points in the Champions League group stage with an impressive 3-1 victory. Young striker Karim Konate starred for the Austrian side, scoring twice and showcasing his predatory instincts as Salzburg capitalized on defensive lapses from their Dutch hosts.
The first half was a tight contest until injury time, when Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther’s misjudged pass gifted Salzburg possession. Oscar Gloukh quickly seized the moment, sending a precise cross into the box that Konate, at just 20 years old, expertly headed into the net. This crucial strike gave the visitors a 1-0 lead heading into the break and set the tone for the second half.
Feyenoord, who had shown promising form with consecutive wins over Girona and Benfica, found themselves on the back foot against Salzburg’s high-energy approach. The Dutch side’s defensive concentration faltered again in the 58th minute when Kamil Piatkowski’s looping header from a corner kick floated dangerously in the box. Konate reacted faster than the ball-watching defenders and delivered a well-timed volley, doubling Salzburg’s advantage and silencing the De Kuip faithful.
The match took another twist when Feyenoord substitute Chris-Kevin Nadje saw red in the 79th minute. Initially shown a yellow card for a reckless studs-up challenge, VAR intervention upgraded the offense to a straight red, leaving the home team down to 10 men. Despite the setback, Feyenoord clawed back two minutes later when Anis Hadj Moussa scored a stunning goal from a difficult angle, igniting hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Salzburg had a chance to seal the game in the 85th minute after being awarded a penalty following a VAR review. Konate stepped up seeking a hat-trick, but his powerful strike crashed against the crossbar, leaving the outcome uncertain. The Austrian side’s nerves were finally settled by substitute Daouda Guindo, who made an immediate impact with a spectacular long-range shot that beat Wellenreuther and secured the 3-1 win.
This victory marked Salzburg’s first triumph in the competition this season and lifted them from the bottom of the group, while Feyenoord’s missteps on home soil left them disappointed after showing promise earlier in the campaign.
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