Austria began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over tournament debutants Jordan at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Despite a spirited performance from Jordan, Austria's experience and late-game composure ultimately prevailed.
How it unfolded
Austria took the lead in the 21st minute through a moment of brilliance from Romano Schmid. He received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and curled a stunning shot into the top corner, giving Jordan's goalkeeper no chance. Jordan, however, responded positively, with Ali Olwan hitting the crossbar just two minutes later with a header from a corner. The first half ended with Austria holding a narrow 1-0 lead.
Jordan came out with renewed vigour in the second half and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Ali Olwan scored, marking Jordan's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. The striker's powerful shot from the left side of the box found the bottom right corner, levelling the score and making history for his nation. Austria regained the lead in the 76th minute through an own goal by Jordan's Yazan Al-Arab, who inadvertently turned a dangerous cross into his own net. The match was sealed in the 12th minute of stoppage time when Marko Arnautovic converted a penalty, awarded after a VAR review for a handball, to secure the 3-1 victory for Austria.
The turning point
The introduction of Marko Arnautovic at halftime proved to be a decisive factor for Austria. While his initial goal was disallowed due to a handball in the buildup, his presence and pressure on the Jordanian defence ultimately led to the own goal that restored Austria's lead. His calm penalty conversion in the dying moments further cemented his impact on the match.
Tactical read
Austria, under Ralf Rangnick, employed their characteristic high-intensity pressing system, aiming to win the ball high up the pitch. However, Jordan's disciplined low block and effective counter-attacking strategy posed significant challenges. In the first half, Austria dominated possession (69%), but Jordan matched them in shots (9 each) and shots on target (4 each). Jordan's direct approach and the pace of players like Ali Olwan and Mousa Al-Tamari were particularly effective on the break, demonstrating their ability to threaten Austria's defence.
Key performers
Romano Schmid opened the scoring with a sublime strike, showcasing his technical ability. Ali Olwan was a constant threat for Jordan, not only scoring their historic first World Cup goal but also hitting the crossbar and creating other dangerous opportunities. Marko Arnautovic, despite coming off the bench, made a significant impact, forcing the own goal and converting the late penalty.
By the Numbers
- 3-1 was the final score, with Austria securing three points on their return to the World Cup stage.
- 12 minutes of stoppage time were added in the second half, a lengthy period that saw the decisive late penalty awarded.
- Jordan's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal was scored by Ali Olwan in the 50th minute, a historic moment for the nation.
- Austria's return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence ended with a victory, marking a significant achievement for the team.
What's next
Austria will look to build on this winning start as they face Argentina in their next Group J fixture. Jordan will aim to learn from this experience and secure their first points in the tournament when they play Algeria.
Kickoff XI is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
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