FCA record dramatic 3-2 win in Wolfsburg

What a game! FC Augsburg claimed a spectacular 3-2 away win at VfL Wolfsburg after coming from behind twice. The winning goal came in stoppage time, with Elvis Rexhbecaj sparking wild celebrations with a fully deserved winner.

Head coach Manuel Baum made two changes to his starting XI after the 1-0 home win against Heidenheim. Rodrigo Ribeiro made his first start in the Bundesliga, while Dimitris Giannoulis returned from injury. New signing Uchenna Ogundu was named in the matchday squad for the first time.

FCA played all in white – the club’s new special-edition shirt, which has been on sale since Friday, will make its debut in the home game against Köln – and they made a strong start. Augsburg looked sharp, composed and tidy on the ball early on. The first chance fell to Han-Noah Massengo, whose angled effort was pushed behind by Wolfsburg goalkeeper Kamil Grabara. Moments later, a Mert Kömür cross caused problems, with Wolves captain Yannick Gerhardt heading against the woodwork (11’).

FCA remained the more active side as the half went on. Alexis Claude-Maurice slipped Ribeiro in, and the debutant beat Denis Vavro but was a fraction late as Grabara rushed out to smother (21’). Kömür then tried his luck from around 20 metres out, firing just over (37’). Wolfsburg began to grow into the contest, and Finn Dahmen had to parry a long-range attempt from Vavro (39’). Two minutes later the hosts struck against the run of play: Christian Eriksen’s corner was met at the near post by Gerhardt, who headed in to make it 1-0 (41’).

FCA rally after the break 

Both sides returned unchanged for the second half. In the 52nd minute, Augsburg were left frustrated by a key moment in the box as Claude-Maurice went down following a challenge from Saël Kumbedi, but referee Daniel Schlager waved play on and VAR did not intervene.

Not long afterwards, FCA got the equaliser their performance deserved. A precise pass from Claude-Maurice found Ribeiro, who swept a low finish home for 1-1 – his first goal for the club.

Substitute Marius Wolf had a sight of goal after a headed clearance dropped kindly in the box, but he pulled his effort wide of the left post (70’). Wolfsburg then went back in front almost immediately: Mohamed Amoura broke down the right on the counter and Kento Shiogai bundled in the ball to restore their lead (71’).

Ogundu came on to make his debut in the 81st minute, and Augsburg’s efforts were rewarded six minutes later. Following a handball by Vavro, Schlager pointed to the spot and substitute Michael Gregoritsch calmly sent the penalty into the bottom-left corner to level it at 2-2 (87’).

Late on in the seven minutes of added time, Claude-Maurice squared the ball across the box and Rexhbecaj guided a low finish into the far corner, netting a late, much-celebrated 3-2 winner for FC Augsburg.

FCA are back in action on Friday, 27th February, when 1. FC Köln visit the WWK ARENA for a 20:30 CET kick-off.

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