Sturm Graz secured a dramatic 2–2 draw against SV Ried on Sunday in the 10th round of the Admiral Bundesliga, with Belmin Beganovic scoring in stoppage time at the Liebenau stadium in Graz-Liebenau to keep his side from suffering a home defeat before 14,517 spectators, sport.ORF.at reported.
Sturm Dominates Early Before Red Card Shifts Momentum
Sturm-Trainer Fabio Ingolitsch deployed the same starting lineup that defeated Olympique Marseille 1–0 in the Europa League on the previous Thursday. The hosts controlled the opening half through crisp passing, forcing Ried goalkeeper Andreas Leitner into early saves against Oumar Diakite and Simon Seidl. Despite the territorial dominance, Simon Seidl broke the deadlock in the 31st minute by firing a cleared cross into the far corner to give the visitors a foothold.
Malic Dismissal and Pomer Penalty Turn the Match
The fixture shifted just before halftime when Sturm defender Arjan Malic received a red card for striking Jeadin Rhodes in the back, a decision reviewed by VAR Alan Kijas and confirmed by referee Safak Barmaksiz. Moments into the subsequent stoppage time, a handball by Hödl inside the penalty area handed Ried a spot-kick. Philipp Pomer converted successfully from the spot to swing the scoreline before the interval.
Kiese Thelin Extends Ried Lead Before Beganovic Strikes Late
Ried pressed home their numerical advantage early in the second half. In the 55th minute, Rossdorfer drove down the flank and delivered a cross for Isaac Kiese Thelin, who headed past the Sturm defense to make it 2–1. Even with ten men, Sturm pushed forward late in the match. In the 92nd minute, substitute Belmin Beganovic—a former Ried player—met a low cross from Hödl following a backheel from Halwachs and smashed a close-range shot beneath the crossbar to salvage a point.
Ried Draw Ends Winning Streak as Coach Sees Red
The draw leaves Ried in fifth place in the league table, three points behind Sturm Graz, ending the Innviertel club’s run of three consecutive league victories. Following the final whistle, Sturm coach Ingolitsch received a red card after rushing toward referee Barmaksiz and describing the officiating as a scandal. Ried turns its attention to an Austrian Cup round of 16 tie against regional rival LASK on Tuesday, while Sturm travels to Lustenau for a Thursday fixture.
