Violets advance to the European Cup quarter-finals!

The Violets remain on course for success: with a 2-1 home win against RSC Anderlecht, Austria secured their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup after a 1-0 away win in the first leg. In front of their home crowd, the team put in a spirited, focused and mature performance and were deserved winners in the end. The goals were scored by Katharina Schiechtl and Courtney Strode.

Thanks to their 1-0 victory in the first leg, the Violets had put themselves in a good position ahead of Wednesday evening's return match. Nevertheless, it was clear from the outset that the encounter would be no easy task. The Violets started brightly and created their first chances early on. The first chance came in the 5th minute when Louise Schöffel's throw-in narrowly missed the goal. Anderlecht responded with their first corner (10'), which Katharina Schiechtl confidently cleared with her head.

Patience, resilience and a dream goal

Although the game was initially played mainly in the Veilchen's half, the hosts remained solid in defence. Schiechtl showed her class on several occasions (13') and goalkeeper Jasmin Pal also defused a dangerous free kick (14').

Then came the first big cheer: Modesta Uka set off on an impressive solo run, fought her way through the Belgian defence and played a measured pass into the penalty area, allowing Schiechtl to finish from close range to make it 1-0 and give her side a 2-0 aggregate lead (16')!

Austria kept up the pressure: Schöffel and Lotta Cordes tested the Anderlecht goalkeeper (18'), and later a Belgian defender cleared a near-certain goal from Courtney Strode just before the line (27'). Uka's follow-up shot also narrowly missed the target.

But Anderlecht remained dangerous: a quick attack in the 30th minute forced Pal far out of her goal, before Yvonne Weilharter cleared the resulting shot. Carina Wenninger headed away another corner from the visitors shortly before half-time (43'). The teams went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead and a comfortable 2-0 aggregate score.

Strode conjures up magic – Anderlecht pulls one back

Anderlecht came out of the dressing room with a lot of energy and tried to take control of the game. The Violets had to defend several corners and did so with great determination.

Then came the next moment of brilliance for the Violets: in the 54th minute, Courtney Strode shot from distance and sank the ball beautifully into the top corner to make it 2-0. Just a few minutes later, Strode tried another spectacular long-range shot over the goalkeeper and into the empty net (60'), but missed by a narrow margin.

Uka missed the chance to seal the victory shortly afterwards when she started alone towards the goal but lost the ball in the penalty area (70'). Almedina Šišić came on for the lively striker shortly afterwards (75'). Anderlecht continued to search for an equaliser, but the Violet defence around Wenninger, Schiechtl and Kirchberger stood firm (77'). It was not until the 79th minute that the Belgians scored their first goal in this duel – the 2-1 also meant a 3-1 aggregate score.

Sara Pavlović replaced Cordes (82'), and Anna Schorn later came on for Strode (87'). Pal had to deal with two corners in the closing stages (86'), but remained confident. Lena Triendl made the final attempt in added time with a long-range shot (90+1'), but it went wide of the goal.

Austria in European Cup quarter-finals against Sparta Prague

With a mature, cohesive team performance, great defensive stability and two beautiful goals, Austria Vienna celebrated a deserved 2-1 victory. The Violets won 3-1 on aggregate and are now through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup. Awaiting them in February 2026 is none other than Sparta Prague.

Austria Wien - RSC Anderlecht 2-1 (1-0)

Austria: Pal – Wenninger, Schiechtl, Kirchberger - Schöffel, Weiss, Cordes (Pavlović 82'), Weilharter - Uka (Šišić 75'), Strode (Schorn 87'), Triendl

Goals: Schiechtl (16'), Strode (54'); Folkesson (79')

Franz Horr Stadium, 1,911 fans, referee Jana Adámková