With this being a game where both teams were hoping to find three points to qualify in the top-eight places, it began very tensely. Both sides found themselves in good positions but the two respective defences remained compact as it looked as though nerves got the better of them in a cagey first half with little action in front of goal.
However, that changed very quickly after the break thanks to a wicked free-kick delivery from Michael Ameyaw. His vicious inswinging delivery from the left may well have been going in anyway but Oskar Repka got a glancing header on it to make sure it beat Fabiano Freitas.
In need of goals, Zrinjski manager Igor Stimac introduced attacking assets Vitalie Damascan and Karlo Abramovic into the contest just after the hour mark in the hope of a more effective performance in front of goal.
However, Stimac’s substitutions sadly didn’t appear to alter the overall outcome of the game. That was until late drama deep in injury time at the end of the second half.
On course to miss out on the 2025/26 UECL’s play-offs by just a single point, Zrinjski were fortuitously saved by Ahoussou, who inadvertently sent the ball past his own goalkeeper Hedl, to allow the Stadion pod Bijelim Brijegom to celebrate ecstatically.
Having been saved with practically the last kick of the game, Zrinjski will now take their place in the play-offs, but might not be so lucky again throughout this season’s competition.
Meanwhile, Rapid will be awarded the unwanted accolade of the wooden spoon after finishing bottom of the standings with this being their only one point from their six matches (0-1-5).
Flashscore Man of the Match: Furkan Demir (SK Rapid Wien)