Zachariassen's brace carries Ferencváros past a late Viktoria Plzeň scare

Ferencváros took all three points at Groupama Arena, but had to sweat until the final whistle to close out a 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzeň that got tense in the closing seconds. Kristoffer Zachariassen was the standout performer, scoring both Hungarian goals, one from open play and one from the penalty spot, in a Europa League league phase match that looked settled before Viktoria Plzeň put it back on edge with a stoppage-time goal.

The first half was even and goalless. There were chances on both sides (Krisztián Lisztes clipped the crossbar in the 26th minute, Adam Gabriel tested the top corner for Plzeň in the 37th) but neither was converted. Everything changed as soon as the second half kicked off: in the 48th minute, right after play resumed, Zachariassen finished with his left foot from the center of the box after a counterattack built by Veljko Birmancevic, putting Ferencváros ahead on the scoreboard.

Things got tougher for Viktoria Plzeň in the 76th minute, when the referee, after a VAR review, pointed to the penalty spot for a foul by Sampson Dweh on Birmancevic inside the area. Zachariassen made no mistake from twelve yards, driving it with his right foot down the middle of the goal in the 80th minute to complete his brace and make it 2-0.

With the match seemingly decided, Viktoria Plzeň found a way back in from where the home side least expected it: a corner kick in the 89th minute that substitute Denis Visinsky, just on the field, headed... actually finished with his right foot from close range to pull one back and set the final score at 2-1. Ferencváros had to manage several minutes of stoppage time (six were added, announced in the 93rd minute) to avoid any further scares.

What the numbers say

Ferencváros had somewhat more possession and was sharper from corners, but Viktoria Plzeň generated more overall shot volume, though it did not translate into anything beyond the late consolation goal.

The xG calculated after the fact from the match's shots, an in-house estimate and not an official figure, actually ends up favoring Viktoria Plzeň: 2.499 to Ferencváros's 2.114. That number backs up what the shot count showed: the Czech side created more danger than the final result reflected, though it lacked the finishing touch or the luck to cash in on it before the late stretch.

The preview had given Ferencváros a 53% chance of winning, with a 26% chance of a draw and 21% for Viktoria Plzeň, with expected goals of 1.80 for the home side and 1.07 for the visitors. The result ended up going as the favorite suggested, though the margin was tighter than those numbers implied: Visinsky's goal in the 89th minute gave a lift to a Viktoria Plzeň side that at one point had more total shots than its opponent.

What it means in the standings

The win leaves Ferencváros with 6 points in the league phase, level on points with much of the leading pack, though with a tighter goal difference. Viktoria Plzeň, on the other hand, still has nothing to show for it: the loss leaves them with 0 points from two matches, a start that complicates their path through the rest of the competition.