WALS-SIEZENHEIM, Austria (Interstat) — Red Bull Salzburg opened its Austrian Bundesliga title defense with a 2-1 victory over Wolfsberger AC on Sunday, overcoming a significant statistical pregame projection to claim three points at Red Bull Arena.

The match, played on Dec. 14, 2025, defied the expectations set by Interstat’s ELO system, which had given the visiting Wolfsberger a 75.80 percent probability to win. The final score, however, aligned perfectly with the organization’s game simulator, which had projected a 2-1 outcome in favor of the home side.

Salzburg’s victory was orchestrated by forward Kerim Alajbegović, who scored both of his team’s goals. He opened the scoring in the seventh minute, giving the champions an early lead they would carry through a disjointed and foul-prone first half. The opening period saw yellow cards issued to Wolfsberger’s Soumaïla Diabaté in the 23rd minute and Salzburg defender Valentin Sulzbacher in the 51st.

The match remained a tense, one-goal affair until the closing stages. Alajbegović sealed the result for Salzburg in the 86th minute, netting his second goal of the contest to double the lead. The assists on both Salzburg goals were credited to midfielders Soumaïla Diabaté and Frans Krätzig.

Wolfsberger, which finished the match with ten men, managed a dramatic consolation goal deep into second-half stoppage time. Substitute Dejan Zukić found the net in the sixth minute of added time to cut the deficit to 2-1. The assist on the play went to fellow substitute Fabian Wohlmuth.

The late goal was immediately followed by a sending-off. Salzburg’s Valentin Sulzbacher, who had been booked earlier, received a second yellow card in the aftermath of the goal, resulting in a red card at 90+6 minutes. The dismissal came after a flurry of second-half cautions, which also included Salzburg’s Frans Krätzig in the 75th minute and Wolfsberger’s Fabian Wohlmuth in the 77th.

With the win, Salzburg begins its Bundesliga campaign with one win and no losses, while also moving to a perfect record across all competitions this season. Wolfsberger starts its league season with one loss and no wins, mirroring its overall record.

The match was characterized by disciplined defensive structure from the hosts after taking the early lead, and a persistent, if ultimately unsuccessful, attacking effort from the visitors, whose high pregame probability of victory did not translate to the pitch. Salzburg’s efficiency in front of goal, courtesy of Alajbegović’s brace, proved the decisive factor in securing the three points.