NK Publikum Celje 2-2 Red Bull Salzburg delivered a breathless UEFA Europa League contest on 23 October 2026, with the Slovenian hosts twice coming from behind to claim a deserved point at Stadion Z’dežele. In a match that swung repeatedly between Salzburg’s high-tempo pressing and Celje’s sharp counter-attacking, neither side could find a winning goal in a frantic final stretch.

Match overview

Red Bull Salzburg arrived as the more decorated side and quickly imposed their familiar aggressive rhythm, pinning Celje deep during the opening quarter-hour. The visitors’ pressure told when Karim Konaté latched onto a loose ball inside the box and finished low into the corner. Celje, however, refused to fold. The hosts gradually found space behind Salzburg’s advanced full-backs and equalised through Armandas Kučys after a well-worked move down the left.

Salzburg restored their lead shortly after half-time when Oscar Gloukh curled a precise effort beyond the goalkeeper, but Celje’s response was again impressive. The Slovenian side pushed more bodies forward in the closing stages and levelled through captain Žan Karničnik, whose late run into the area was rewarded with a composed finish. The final minutes produced chances at both ends, but a 2-2 scoreline felt a fair reflection of an entertaining, end-to-end encounter.

Key moments

• 12’ – Salzburg take the lead: Karim Konaté pounces on a defensive half-clearance and drills a low shot past the Celje goalkeeper.
• 31’ – Celje equalise: Armandas Kučys converts a fluent counter-attack, finishing calmly after a cut-back from the left flank.
• 58’ – Salzburg edge ahead again: Oscar Gloukh finds space on the edge of the box and curls a measured effort into the far corner.
• 84’ – Celje level once more: Žan Karničnik arrives late in the penalty area and slots home to send the home crowd into raptures.

Tactical story

Salzburg’s game plan was built on winning the ball high and attacking quickly through the half-spaces. That approach created early chances but also left gaps behind the full-backs, which Celje exploited with direct running and quick switches of play. The hosts were disciplined in their mid-block and grew in confidence as the match wore on, eventually matching Salzburg’s intensity in the duels.

Celje’s ability to respond twice underlined their tactical maturity in Europe. Rather than abandoning their shape after falling behind, they stayed compact and waited for transitional moments. Salzburg, meanwhile, will feel they should have managed the game better after taking the lead for a second time, especially with the amount of possession they enjoyed in the middle third.

Standout players

Karim Konaté was a constant threat for Salzburg, using his movement to stretch Celje’s back line and opening the scoring with a sharp finish. Oscar Gloukh provided the visitors’ most creative moments, drifting between the lines and producing the goal that briefly looked decisive. For Celje, Armandas Kučys led the line admirably, while Žan Karničnik combined defensive discipline with the late attacking instinct that earned his side a point.

What the draw means

The result leaves both teams with plenty to build on in the UEFA Europa League standings. Salzburg will view it as two dropped points after twice leading, while Celje can take real encouragement from going toe-to-toe with one of the competition’s more established sides. For the Slovenian club, the performance and the point are valuable markers of progress on the European stage.