Viking overturned an early Champions League deficit to beat Sabah FK 3-1, answering Orphé Mbina's opener with three goals of their own and finishing against ten men. The home side trailed after 11 minutes, were level before the interval, and took charge after the break.

Match Summary

Sabah FK struck first. Kristoffer Haugen was booked in the opening minutes, and the visitors took the lead when Orphé Mbina finished to put them in front. Viking had to chase from there. Erik Botheim restored parity, and the remainder of the first half stayed locked at 1-1. Gianni Stensness had already been cautioned for the hosts, and Umarali Rahmonaliyev received a yellow for Sabah, but neither team found another goal before the break.

After half-time Viking found a way through. Zlatko Tripic put them in front, a strike that flipped the story of the night. Sabah's task grew heavier when Aden McCarthy was shown a yellow card and then a red. With the visitors down to ten players, Henrik Falchener added a third that settled the result. Joy-Lance Mickels was booked in the closing stages as Viking saw the game out.

Key Moments

Sabah's early goal forced Viking to chase. Trailing in the first half set the tone even after the equalizer, because the home side were still playing catch-up rather than dictating terms.

The second-half change of lead was the decisive swing. Until Viking went in front the contest was even on the scoreboard. After that, Sabah never recovered the initiative.

Aden McCarthy's red card, coming after he had already been booked in the same spell, ended any realistic late push. A man down with the score against them, Sabah could not hunt an equalizer, and Viking were able to close the night with a third goal.

Match Statistics

The numbers lined up with Viking's second-half control. They outshot Sabah FK 19 to 16 and put seven attempts on target to four. Expected goals told a similar story, 2.25 against 1.49. Viking also won more corners, 10 to 6. Both sides were credited with two yellow cards on the official tally, while Sabah finished with one red and Viking with none.

See also

• Viking vs Sabah FK live score
• AltBets live scores
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• Match recaps