A dramatic last-gasp goal from Raul Bobadilla booked Augsburg's place in the knock-out rounds of the UEFA Europa League during their first ever campaign. After falling behind to Aboubakar Oumarou's early strike, goals from Jeong-Ho Hong, Paul Verhaegh and then Bobadilla secured a 3-1 win to progress against Partizan Belgrade.
Level at the break
The game had essentially become a final and the second-leg of a European tie. Partizan had won 3-1 in Germany, and Augsburg needed to match or better that score-line to beat the Serbs to second spot in their group. Things began badly early on when a breakaway goal knocked the visitors for six. They had been on top and had several attempts on goal but after Tim Matavz gave the ball away, Stefan Babovic fed Oumarou through on goal and he duly finished with aplomb.
It looked like Augsburg would fall away after that, now knowing that they had to match the score-line from the first meeting, but it was anything but a capitulation. Partizan had further chances after the goal, though Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker's substitution for injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise before the break. Hong came on for the forlorn centre-half, and popped up from a Piotr Trochowski corner to head home a crucial equaliser on half-time.
Bobadilla's miracle of Belgrade
That goal had a visible effect in the early stages of the second half, as captain Verhaegh brought his side within a goal of glory. Trochowski had gone close moments before, but as Daniel Baier fed the Dutchman he made no mistake from close range and stunned the home crowd. Augsburg, who looked down and out, were now just a goal away from creating another piece of club history.
It did look like they'd run out of time after Partizan survived wave after wave of attack, even after Andrija Zivkovic was sent off. However, in the final minute of normal time, Bobadilla struck gold. His goal sent the visiting players, coaches and fans into wild celebrations. At the first time of asking, Augsburg had made it into the knockout round and could have set up a possible tie with Manchester United, or a host of other European giants. The home side will be scratching their head as to where it all went wrong.