Nine-man Qarabag shock Salzburg
Baku, July 30 (AZERTAC). The Azerbaijani champions can dream of a place in the play-offs after shocking their visitors despite going down to nine men.
Reynaldo scored a dramatic late winner and was later sent off as nine-man Qarabag FC secured a famous 2-1 victory against FC Salzburg.
Both sides had already been reduced to ten men during a tempestuous first half, when Salzburg captain Jonatan Soriano (77) cancelled out Danilo Dias' (2) opener. Reynaldo then struck his second in as many games four minutes from the final whistle to clinch victory. There was still time for the Brazilian midfielder to earn a straight red card, however, as a dramatic match took another twist.
Danilo Dias gave the hosts the perfect start, scoring after two minutes as the Azerbaijani side began on the front foot. Former BSC Young Boys defender Christian Schwegler was then sent off for an over-zealous challenge as the away side found themselves a goal and a man down after just 34 minutes.
The Austrian title holders were given a glimmer of hope just eight minutes later. Qarabag captain Admir Teli received his marching orders after two bookings in the space of two minutes as the home side lost their numerical advantage.
Soriano hauled his side level, but Salzburg failed to find the net again despite their Spanish star striker rattling the bar after an error by Qarabag goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic. Reynaldo pounced on a cross by substitute Ilgar Gurbanov to restore Qarabag's advantage, before the hero turned villain at the death.
Qarabag defend their slim lead in Salzburg next Wednesday.
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