Austria edge past Jordan 3-1 in World Cup return after 28 years
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Austria edge past Jordan 3-1 in World Cup return after 28 years
Austria edge Jordan 3-1 in World Cup return thriller
Continuationrevised 2×Austria edge Jordan 3-1 in World Cup return thriller
Continuationrevised 2×
Austria salvages hard-fought 3-1 victory over Jordan in World Cup return after 28 years
Austria secured a nervy 3-1 victory over World Cup debutants Jordan in San Francisco on Wednesday morning, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament with a result that owed more to VAR and late drama than convincing performance. Ralf Rangnick’s side, installed as heavy favourites in Group J, were repeatedly stretched by a disciplined Jordanian side who twice equalised before an 89th-minute penalty and an added-time own goal sealed a nervy triumph.
The match began at 21:00 local time in San Francisco’s 15°C evening air, with Jordan’s supporters creating a raucous atmosphere in a stadium split between the two sets of fans. Austria, ranked 28 places above their opponents, struggled to impose themselves. A 17th-minute own goal from Jordan’s Ahmed Samir put Austria ahead, but Yazan Al-Naimat levelled from the penalty spot in the 37th minute after VAR intervention confirmed a foul on Mahmoud Al-Mardi inside the area. Al-Naimat then turned provider, assisting Musa Al-Taamari for Jordan’s second in the 52nd minute and briefly sending the neutral sections into raptures.
Austria’s equaliser arrived in the 72nd minute when Konrad Laimer slotted home after a goalmouth scramble, but it was only in the 89th minute that substitute Michael Gregoritsch was fouled by Yazan Abu Arab, prompting referee István Kovács to point to the spot. Konrad Laimer converted with composure. In added time, a Jordanian clearance rebounded off Gregoritsch and looped into the net via Samir, sealing the win.
The result ends Austria’s 36-year World Cup win drought, dating back to a 1-0 victory over Chile at France 1998. Jordan, despite their defeat, made history by scoring their first-ever World Cup goal and will take heart from a spirited display. “We showed character,” said Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta. “We didn’t deserve to lose.”
In Vienna, thousands of fans had gathered from 06:00 local time to watch the match on giant screens across the city, their celebrations tempered by the side’s uneven display. Austria now face France in their next Group J fixture on Sunday, while Jordan travel to play Poland.
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