Austria’s biggest ever win boosts World Cup chances

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Hooligan Soccer

·11 October 2025

Austria’s biggest ever win boosts World Cup chances

Austria created history with a 10-0 victory over San Marino in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying game on October 9th. The win marks their largest margin of victory in national team history since their 9-0 victory over Malta in 1978.

This result also ranks as the fifth most one-sided scoreline in European Qualifiers history, behind:

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West Germany’s 12–0 win over Cyprus (1969)
Norway’s 11-1 win over Moldova (2025)
Hungary’s 11-1 domination against Greece (1938)
Liechtenstein’s 11-1 rout over North Macedonia (1996)

36-year-old Marko Arnautović scored four goals and surpassed Toni Polster to become Austria’s all-time goal scorer with 45 goals in 128 matches. Arnautovic wasn’t the only one with all the glory, though. In an unprecedented turn of events, every starting outfield player and two substitutes other than the goalkeeper either scored or assisted—a perfect way for the team to secure their perfect record in Group H.

The win significantly boosts Austria’s qualification chances for the 2026 World Cup. The team now needs only five points from its last three games to secure a direct berth. For Ralf Ragnick at the helm, this performance definitely ups the team’s hopes of appearing at a World Cup in the 21st century after failing to qualify for the last 6 World Cup Tournaments, but it looks like they might just get their chance this time.