Rapid Vienna triumphs late: Sensational gold gate from Kara!

Rapid Vienna triumphs late: Sensational gold gate from Kara!

Wien, Österreich - Rapid Vienna won the second leg against LASK 3-0 on June 2, 2025 and thus qualified for the next round of the Conference League. Ercan Kara achieved the decisive "gold gate" in added time, exactly in the 95th minute, while Burgstaller already took 1-0 in the first half. The game was severely affected by a violent storm, which led to a few chances on both sides.

Guido Burgstaller, who celebrated his comeback after a sensational attack in Vienna, in which he suffered a skull base break, was substituted for Kara in the 85th minute. Despite the setbacks in the past few months, Burgstaller has been optimistic about the game and emphasized how important the victory was for the team. His comeback was associated with great expectations after a career end was originally forecast for the 35-year-old striker. Rapid Vienna won the game against Djurgardens IF on Thursday evening 1-0, which means that they will remain in the competition.

an emotional comeback

The interim coach of Rapid, Kulovits, spoke of a "wave pool of feelings" that brought the game for the players and fans. Stöger, who was presented as the new head coach on the same day, gave Kulovits many helpful tips for the decisive second leg. The jubilee scale of Stöger at 3-0 was also mentioned with a wink.

Burgstaller, who was active for Schalke 04 between 2017 and 2020 and made a name for himself due to his fighting spirit, received many congratulations for his comeback, including from Schalke 04, which congratulated the "X" platform. It is a remarkable moment, not only for Burgstaller himself, but also for all football fans who celebrated his return to the square.

injuries in football

The joy of Burgstaller's return is visible in the context of the most common types of injury in football. Injuries often affect the lower extremities, with 27% of the injuries to affect the knee joint and more than 18%. With 13.7% relevant injuries, the head remains the second most common area. Accident prevention in football is therefore of great importance to avoid such serious injuries - as that of Burgstaller.

Various programs such as FIFA 11+ or the PEP program (Prevent Injury, Enhance Performance) aim to prevent injuries and could be an advantage for players of all ages. The focus of these programs is on running and jumping exercises as well as strengthening exercises that better prepare the athletes for the competition.

Overall, the evening for Rapid Vienna was a complete success, which not only reflects sporting progress, but also embodies an inspiring story of comeback and hope for Guido Burgstaller. The brilliance of football shows not only in the goals achieved, but also in the fights of the players who return despite all the adversities.