WEILER-LA-TOUR, Luxembourg (Interstat) — In a chaotic and dramatic conclusion to a Luxembourg Promotion d’Honneur match, visiting Marisca Mersch and last-place Yellow Boys Weiler played to a 3-3 draw Wednesday after a late red card marred a frenetic comeback.

The match, part of Week 2 of the lux-pro organized league season at Stade Am Dieltchen, defied pregame projections. Statistical models heavily favored the home side, but the teams instead traded blows in a six-goal thriller that saw the visitors rally from a two-goal deficit.

The game exploded to life immediately. Marisca Mersch midfielder Filippo Melegoni silenced the home crowd with a goal in just the third minute. The lead was short-lived, as Yellow Boys Weiler defender Julián Illanes equalized four minutes later, making it 1-1 by the seventh minute.

The home side took control before halftime. Substitute Tommaso Cassandro, who entered the match early, put Yellow Boys Weiler ahead in the 39th minute. That advantage was extended in the 64th minute when forward Fabio Abiuso found the net, giving the hosts a commanding 3-1 lead and seemingly putting the game on track for the predicted home victory.

Marisca Mersch, however, mounted a determined fightback. Substitute Fabio Rispoli cut the deficit to one goal in the 76th minute, setting up a tense final quarter-hour. The comeback was completed in the 90th minute by another substitute, Filippo Pittarello, who slammed home the equalizer for 3-3.

The drama was not finished. In the third minute of stoppage time, Yellow Boys Weiler’s Abiuso, who had earlier scored and assisted, received his second yellow card of the match, resulting in a red card and forcing his team to see out the final moments with 10 men.

The result does little to alter the precarious league position of either side. Marisca Mersch’s season record in the Promotion d’Honneur moves to six wins, eight losses and four draws. The point offers a small reprieve after a 4-0 home loss to Schifflange just one day prior on Tuesday.

For Yellow Boys Weiler, the draw feels like a missed opportunity. Their search for a first league win this season continues, with their record now at zero wins, two losses and four draws. Their only victories this campaign have come in other competitions, with their overall season record across all tournaments standing at four wins, three losses and four draws.

The match was heavily influenced by substitutions. Of the six goals scored, three were by substitutes, with Cassandro, Rispoli and Pittarello all coming off the bench to score. Mattia Liberali and Jacopo Petriccione, also substitutes, provided assists for Marisca Mersch.

Marisca Mersch will look to build on the resilient point when they host Lorentzweiler on Sunday in their next league fixture. Yellow Boys Weiler must regroup during a break from league action as they seek a formula to turn draws into wins.