NK Celje 2-2 RB Salzburg

The UEFA Europa League League Phase fixture between NK Celje and RB Salzburg took place on 22 October 2026 at Stadion Z'dezele in Celje. Both sides entered the match looking to secure points in the competition, and the encounter delivered a lively contest with four goals and several bookings.

How it unfolded

The opening minutes saw RB Salzburg take the lead when Sota Kitano scored in the 9th minute. Kitano received a fast-break pass from Damir Redzic and fired a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner, putting Salzburg ahead 1-0.

The first half continued with a flurry of cautions. NK Celje’s Artemijus Tutyskinas was booked in the 32nd minute for a bad foul, followed three minutes later by Salzburg’s Damir Redzic, also for a bad foul. Just before the break, Pijus Sirvys of Celje received a yellow card for a bad foul in the 43rd minute.

Salzburg extended their advantage early in the second half. In the 46th minute, Jesper Lindström capitalised on another fast break, receiving Redzic’s assist before slotting a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the centre of the goal, making it 2-0.

NK Celje responded quickly. Four minutes later, in the 50th minute, Blaz Kramer reduced the deficit. Kramer’s left-footed strike from the centre of the box found the high centre of the net after an assist from Svit Seslar, bringing the score to 2-1.

The home side kept pressing and earned a late equaliser. In the 90th minute, Armandas Kucys scored the second for Celje, shooting right-footed from the right side of the box into the bottom left corner after a pass from Yaya Dukuly. The match finished level at 2-2.

A final booking was issued in injury time when Salzburg’s Bartosz Mazurek was shown a yellow card in the 90+2 minute. No player was sent off during the game.

Standout performers

  • Sota Kitano (RB Salzburg) – opened the scoring with a well-timed finish in the 9th minute.
  • Jesper Lindström (RB Salzburg) – added a second goal for the visitors in the 46th minute.
  • Blaz Kramer (NK Celje) – sparked Celje’s comeback with a goal in the 50th minute.
  • Armandas Kucys (NK Celje) – secured the equaliser in the 90th minute.
  • Damir Redzic (RB Salzburg) – provided both Salzburg assists and was booked in the 35th minute.

Match facts

  • Final score: NK Celje 2-2 RB Salzburg
  • Goals:
    • 9' Sota Kitano (RB Salzburg) – assist Damir Redzic
    • 46' Jesper Lindström (RB Salzburg) – assist Damir Redzic
    • 50' Blaz Kramer (NK Celje) – assist Svit Seslar
    • 90' Armandas Kucys (NK Celje) – assist Yaya Dukuly
  • Bookings:
    • 32' Artemijus Tutyskinas (NK Celje) – yellow card
    • 35' Damir Redzic (RB Salzburg) – yellow card
    • 43' Pijus Sirvys (NK Celje) – yellow card
    • 90+2' Bartosz Mazurek (RB Salzburg) – yellow card
  • Venue: Stadion Z'dezele, Celje

What it means

The 2-2 draw means both NK Celje and RB Salzburg leave the UEFA Europa League League Phase with a point each from this fixture, maintaining their positions in the group without any loss.