Five-Goal Thriller in Hartberg as DSV Ried Suffer Late 3-2 Defeat

TSV Hartberg emerged victorious from a pulsating Austrian Bundesliga encounter on 30 August 2026, overcoming SV Ried 3-2 in a match that swung one way and then the other before the hosts sealed all three points with a stoppage-time winner. The neutral fans at the Profertil Arena were treated to end-to-end football, poor defensive moments, and a dramatic finale that will be remembered long after the final whistle.

Match Overview

Hartberg started aggressively, pressing high and forcing Ried into early errors. Their reward came in the 12th minute when a clever corner routine allowed midfielder Dominik Frieser to fire low into the far corner. Ried, to their credit, weathered the storm and equalised just before the half-hour mark through a powerful header from striker Marco Grüll after a pinpoint cross from the left.

The second half exploded into life. Hartberg regained the lead through a stunning solo effort from winger Christoph Knasmüllner, but Ried once again found a response, this time through a penalty converted by Julian Wießmeier after a clumsy challenge in the box. Just when it looked as though the game was heading for a draw, Hartberg threw everyone forward and saw substitute Florian Sittsam bundle the ball over the line in the 94th minute to spark wild celebrations.

Key Moments

• 12' – Hartberg strike first: Frieser's low drive beats the Ried keeper from 18 yards after a rehearsed corner.
• 29' – Ried level: Grüll rises highest to head home and restore parity.
• 58' – Knasmüllner magic: The winger cuts inside past two defenders and curls a beauty into the top corner.
• 74' – Ried penalty: Wießmeier sends the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-2.
• 90+4' – Dramatic winner: Sittsam reacts first to a goalmouth scramble, ensuring Hartberg take maximum points.

Tactical Story

Hartberg's midfield dominated for large periods, particularly through the energetic running of Frieser and the composed distribution of captain Manfred Gollner. However, defensive lapses on both sides meant the contest developed into an open, transitional battle few tactical plans could contain. Ried looked dangerous every time they broke forward, but their lack of discipline from set-pieces ultimately cost them.

Both teams committed numbers forward in the closing stages, with Hartberg's desperation winning out against Ried's increasingly tired defensive line. The introduction of Sittsam for the final 15 minutes proved inspired, as his fresh legs created chaos in the visitor's box.

Standout Players

• Christoph Knasmüllner (Hartberg): His solo goal was the highlight of the match, and his direct running kept Ried's full-backs on the back foot throughout.
• Marco Grüll (Ried): Led the line superbly, scoring his side's first goal and winning the penalty that brought them level.
• Florian Sittsam (Hartberg): The super-sub will claim the headlines for his late winner, a poacher's finish that secured a vital three points.

Season Impact

Hartberg climb into the upper half of the Austrian Bundesliga table with their second win of the campaign, demonstrating the kind of resilience that can define a successful season. Ried, meanwhile, will rue a missed opportunity to collect a point on the road, leaving them in the relegation zone after four matches. The battle for Bundesliga survival looks set to be as tight as ever, and this match showed exactly why every point counts.

For neutrals, this was a vintage Austrian Bundesliga performance – chaotic, attacking, and full of drama until the very last kick of the ball.