Austria celebrates home win against Romania – Diepresse.com
Austria celebrates a 2-1 work win against Romania in Vienna. Maybe he brings some looseness. The away game in San Marino is already waiting on Tuesday.
The long way to the 2026 World Cup, which takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, has started a sense of achievement for Austria. The ÖFB team defeated Romania 2-1 on Saturday evening in the sold-out Happel Stadium. The goals scored Michael Gregoritsch (42nd), Marcel Sabitzer (60th) and Florin Tanase (95th)
The last world championship with Austrian participation is not only a little eternity. 27 years have passed since Andreas Herzog, Toni Polster and Co. took part in the final round in France in 1998 under the leadership of team boss Herbert Prohaska. The six following attempts between 2002 and 2024 all failed. So now Ralf Rangnick is trying to return Austria to the world stage. The name mammoth task is relative.
A draw as a great opportunity
The draw for qualification meant it well with the ÖFB selection. The last team was slid into the coveted group pot one and saved possible duels with all capacitors of European football – from Spain to England. The main competitors for the fixed ticket for the 2026 World Cup, which the group is solved, are called Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania. Against Cyprus and San Marino can be avoided.
So the home game against the Romanians was of particular importance. And it started tough. The youngest mistakes in the Nations League against Slovenia (1: 1) and Serbia (1: 1, 0: 2) left their mark. The looseness of the past has been evaporated for the time being.
A gate as a sedative pill
Austria initially showed delicately attempts to approach with degrees by Sabitzer (10./25.) And Wöber (19th). Romania launched unpleasant counterattack. The red and white red defense did not always look saddle-proof.
Towards the end of the first half, the ÖFB team got a better grip on the game and opponents, showing signs of dominance. Baumgartner (33rd) and Sabitzer (41st) had the lead on the foot, Gregoritsch scored (42nd). The 1-0 was in accordance with performance at this time.
At Sabitzer’s deflected shot for 2-0 after an hour, good luck was in the game. Romania became dangerous due to the substitute SUT, but goalkeeper Pentz clarified in the world -class manner (75th). Tanase’s goal was late for the guests (95th).
The 2-1 against Romania was the hoped-for first step towards the World Cup. The second will follow in San Marino on Tuesday (8:45 p.m., ServusTV).
