Ercan Kara scores as Rapid Vienna leads Hearts 3-2 on aggregate in Conference League playoff

Ercan Kara picked the perfect moment to remind everyone why Rapid Vienna brought him back. The Austrian forward’s goal in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff against Heart of Midlothian has given Rapid a 3-2 aggregate lead, putting the Scottish side’s European hopes on life support.

The first leg in Edinburgh on August 20 ended 2-2, a result that left everything to play for in the return fixture. Kara made sure his side seized the advantage in Vienna on August 26, converting to push the aggregate scoreline to 3-2 in Rapid’s favor.

Kara’s knack for the big occasion

The striker already had a hat-trick in Conference League qualifying earlier in 2026, so delivering in a playoff match is firmly within his wheelhouse.

His history at the club reads like a boomerang trajectory. Kara initially tallied 37 goals in 84 competitive matches for Rapid between 2020 and 2022 before leaving for stints in MLS and Turkey.

He returned to Vienna permanently in July 2025, signing a deal through 2027.

Two legs, five goals, and plenty of drama

The first leg at Tynecastle was a classic Conference League qualifier: chaotic, end-to-end, and ultimately inconclusive. Hearts and Rapid traded blows in a 2-2 draw, with Hearts initially taking the lead through a header from Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao, before Rapid equalized thanks to a late goal from Nikolaus Wurmbrand.

Rapid’s home form this season has been a different beast entirely. The Austrian side hammered an opponent 8-0 in their most recent Bundesliga match heading into this tie.

What’s actually at stake

The winner of this playoff secures a place in the Europa Conference League league phase, which comes with financial rewards upwards of £5 million.

The Conference League’s league phase format guarantees a minimum of six group-stage matches, meaning additional matchday revenue, broadcasting income, and continental exposure.