Rapid Vienna cruise past Paide with five-goal thrill
Rapid Vienna saw off Paide 4-1 in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League on Wednesday evening. The Austrian side ran out comfortable winners despite a first-half penalty equaliser from B. Bolla. Both teams arrived in decent form, but the visitors cut them open at will once the game settled.
Bolla struck from the spot after just five minutes to give Paide an early shock. The home side refused to go away and Luts levelled before the break through a well-worked move. Then Vienna changed the game, Haidara finding his first goal in the eightieth minute before Dahl added a second four minutes later. Haidara completed his brace in stoppage time to seal the result.
There were six substitutions across the second half as both managers looked to manage the game. Paide brought on Cabral, Badamosi and Baranov while Vienna introduced Tilio, Schaub and eventually replaced Bolla himself. Hoim and Bolla both picked up yellow cards in a tense period around the hour mark.
The statistics told the story of a one-sided encounter. Vienna enjoyed 74 per cent possession and launched 125 attacks compared to 67 for the hosts. They registered eight shots on target against two, while their expected goals figure of 4.05 dwarfed Paide's 1.38. The home side won more aerial duels but couldn't convert their limited chances.
By then the Austrian side had secured their place in the next round. They extended their winning run with this comprehensive victory, while Paide's hopes of progression were dashed. The result puts Vienna firmly in control of their European campaign.