Levski Sofia 0-1 RB Salzburg – Salzburg claim all three points.

The UEFA Europa League League Phase fixture on 17 September 2026 brought RB Salzburg to Sofia’s Vasil Levski National Stadium. The Austrian side faced a determined Levski Sofia side in what was expected to be a tightly contested encounter.

How it unfolded

The match opened at a lively pace, but the first real breakthrough came in the 39th minute. Haris Tabakovic, operating for RB Salzburg, produced a left-footed shot from very close range that found the centre of the net. The goal was confirmed after a VAR review, giving Salzburg a 1-0 lead.

Two minutes later, the tempo intensified. Sota Kitano of Salzburg was shown a yellow card for a bad foul, a reminder that the contest was becoming more physical. Levski attempted to respond, but the visitors’ defensive shape held firm.

In the 55th minute, Álex Centelles received a yellow card for a bad foul, curbing any momentum Levski might have been building. Just a minute after the restart, Tabakovic himself was booked, receiving a yellow card for an undisclosed offence.

The second half saw further disciplinary action. At the 60th minute, Bartosz Mazurek of Salzburg was shown a yellow card for a bad foul, while five minutes later, Yorbe Vertessen also received a yellow for a bad foul. These cautions reflected the match’s competitive edge but did not alter the scoreline.

As the clock wound down, the final booking came in stoppage time. Abubakr Barry was shown a yellow card in the 90+3 minute, his only caution of the evening. The match concluded with Salzburg maintaining their 1-0 advantage to the final whistle.

Standout performers

  • Haris Tabakovic (RB Salzburg) – The decisive factor in the game, Tabakovic scored the only goal with a close-range left-footed finish in the 39th minute. His contribution secured the win for Salzburg, despite also receiving a yellow card later in the match.

Match facts

  • Final score: Levski Sofia 0-1 RB Salzburg
  • Scorers: Haris Tabakovic (RB Salzburg) – 39'
  • Bookings:
    • Sota Kitano (RB Salzburg) – 41' (bad foul)
    • Álex Centelles (Levski Sofia) – 55' (bad foul)
    • Haris Tabakovic (RB Salzburg) – 56'
    • Bartosz Mazurek (RB Salzburg) – 60' (bad foul)
    • Yorbe Vertessen (RB Salzburg) – 65' (bad foul)
    • Abubakr Barry (RB Salzburg) – 90'+3'
  • Venue: Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia

What it means

RB Salzburg left Sofia with three points and a clean sheet, strengthening their position in the UEFA Europa League League Phase. Levski Sofia, by contrast, returned home empty-handed, having failed to find the net and conceding a solitary goal.