WOLFSBERG, Austria (Interstat) — Substitute Otar Kiteishvili scored a dramatic 73rd-minute equalizer to salvage a 2-2 draw for Sturm Graz against Wolfsberger in a contentious Austrian Bundesliga match Sunday at Lavanttal-Arena.

The result left both teams with identical point totals in the league standings and extended Sturm Graz’s unbeaten run to four matches across all competitions.

The match, played under crisp early March skies, was a physical affair from the outset. Sturm Graz’s Seedy Jatta received a yellow card just two minutes in, setting a combative tone. The visitors were forced into an early tactical shift, introducing Kiteishvili as a substitute in the 34th minute, a move that would prove decisive.

Wolfsberger struck first in the 19th minute. Midfielder Boris Matić found the net, capitalizing on buildup play to give the home side an early advantage. Sturm Graz’s challenge intensified just before halftime when defender Emin Kujović was booked.

The second half began disastrously for the visitors. In the 51st minute, Wolfsberger forward Erik Kojzek doubled the lead, seemingly putting the home side in command with a 2-0 advantage. The match then descended into further chaos. Sturm Graz substitute Ryan Fosso was shown a yellow card in the 59th minute, and the situation deteriorated two minutes later when teammate Cheikh Mamadou Diabaté was issued a straight red card, forcing Sturm Graz to play the final half-hour a man down.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Sturm Graz mounted a resilient comeback. The momentum began to shift in the 69th minute when Wolfsberger substitute Filip Rózga was cautioned. Four minutes later, Kiteishvili struck for the first time, pulling a goal back for Sturm Graz to make it 2-1. The goal was immediately followed by a yellow card for Sturm Graz’s Axel Kayombo.

Kiteishvili completed his brace and sealed the draw just minutes after his first goal, expertly finishing in the 73rd minute to level the score at 2-2. The frantic closing period saw three more yellow cards—for Wolfsberger’s Rene Renner and Jon Gorenc-Stankovič, and Sturm Graz’s Filip Rózga—as the match ended in a stalemate.

The draw continues a closely contested series between the two clubs. Wolfsberger had won the previous meeting this season, a 3-1 victory on Oct. 26. With the split results, the season series is now even.

In the broader league context, Sturm Graz’s record now stands at 11 wins, eight losses and two draws. Wolfsberger’s record moved to eight wins, nine losses and three draws. The result defied pre-match projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 1-1 draw, though its ELO rating system had given Wolfsberger a 90.3 percent probability to win.

Sturm Graz will look to build on the resilient road point when it faces Rheindorf Altach II in Bundesliga play next Sunday. Wolfsberger travels to face SPG LASK Amateure/OÖ next Sunday as the Austrian top flight continues.