LINZ, Austria (Interstat) — Haris Tabakovic scored three goals and Salzburg overcame an early deficit to beat LASK 3-1 on Sunday in their competition fixture. LASK struck first in the 13th minute when Samuel Adeniran finished off a Sascha Horvath assist, giving the home side a short-lived lead. Salzburg answered in the 25th minute through Tabakovic and then took control after halftime. Tabakovic scored again in the 49th and completed his hat trick in the 74th, turning a tight match into a clear road victory. Jesper Lindstrom and Sota Kitano each supplied an assist for Salzburg, while Horvath was booked in the 54th minute. The result moved Salzburg’s competition record to 2 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw and its all-competitions record to 2 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws. LASK fell to 1 win and 2 losses in the competition and 3 wins and 3 losses across all competitions.

Tabakovic was the central figure throughout the attacking end. His first goal leveled the score after LASK’s bright start, and his second early in the second half changed the shape of the contest. The third, in the 74th minute, gave Salzburg breathing room and capped a performance in which he recorded three goals before being substituted in the 83rd minute. Lindstrom and Kitano also came off in the 83rd minute after helping Salzburg manage the closing stages. Salzburg made an early substitution in the 33rd minute involving Morgalla and another in the 62nd involving Redzic as it adjusted before the late surge.

Adeniran’s opener was one of LASK’s best moments. He scored in the 13th minute and was substituted in the 65th. Horvath provided the assist and later received a yellow card. LASK also made substitutions in the 65th minute involving Bogarde and Adeniran, in the 75th involving Usor and Ljubicic, and in the 83rd involving Tornich. Salzburg’s Barry was booked in the 64th minute. LASK’s Elfadli was cautioned in the 88th, and Kalajdzic was booked in the 90th. Boma of Salzburg also received a yellow card in the 90th minute.

Salzburg’s victory came after LASK had opened with energy and an early goal, but the visitors’ finishing proved decisive. Tabakovic’s hat trick was the difference in a game that featured five yellow cards and a series of second-half substitutions. Horvath’s assist and booking made him involved at both ends for LASK, while Adeniran’s goal was his main contribution before he was replaced. Salzburg’s Lindstrom and Kitano each recorded an assist, and Tabakovic’s three-goal display stood out as the top individual performance. The match remained physical late, with three of the five yellow cards issued from the 88th minute onward.

The win gave Salzburg a second victory in the competition this season against no losses and one draw, while LASK’s competition mark slipped to one win and two losses. Across all competitions, Salzburg moved to 2-2-2 and LASK to 3-3. Salzburg had entered the match looking to build on recent results that included a draw at Celje and a home win over Altach, while LASK had been active in multiple competitions. The goals came in a steady sequence: Adeniran opened the scoring, Tabakovic equalized, Tabakovic put Salzburg ahead, and Tabakovic sealed the result. Salzburg’s bench changes in the second half helped protect the lead, and LASK’s late bookings reflected the match’s growing tension.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of LASK 2, Salzburg 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected LASK with a 72.1 percent probability to win. LASK had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.25. The total score of 4 went under the over/under line of 3.5.