Austria 3-1 Jordan: Leading scorer Arnautović rescues win against spirited debutants | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

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Austria’s leading goalscorer Marco Arnautović forced an own goal to beat spirited Jordan 2-1 for a first World Cup victory since 1990 and deny the debutants a first ever point at the San Francisco Bay Arena.

Roman Schmid struck a great effort into the top right corner with his laces to cap off a positive start, but the Middle Eastern side weren’t without chances and Ali Iyad Olwan curled home a fantastic finish worthy of being his country’s first at the tournament.

Arnautović slotted home after coming off the bench only for it to be ruled out for handball, but Jordan didn’t heed the warning and conceded an own goal from Yazan Al-Arab before converting a penalty to seal the win and go second in Group J.

As it happened

Jordan had to dig in to withstand early pressure from Ralf Ragnick’s men, yet the first chance did fall to the debutants as captain Haddad arrived late into the penalty area and the right wing-back fired into the side netting.

Just as Jordan began to build in confidence when Odeh Fakhouri saw his deflected strike from the edge of the penalty area saved well by the goalkeeper, they went behind to Schmid’s brilliant strike finding the top right corner.

Their defence simply didn’t get out quickly enough to meet the effort on goal following a neat set-back by RB Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager and Schmid took full advantage to convert his only shot on goal.

But Jordan were almost level instantly when Olwan headed onto the bar at the near post. Austria were caught napping by the short corner routine in a contest that was coming alive by the minute.

Alexander Schlager was called into action a second time to keep out Olwan’s shot on goal but could only parry it into the path of Rennes striker Mousa Al-Tamari, who blasted the follow up into a defender.

The forward had Schlager concerned again on the stroke of half time, wriggling away from several challenges and sending a low effort crawling not far wide as Jordan looked the more dangerous team heading into half time.

Having been Jordan’s brightest attacking threat in the first half, Olwan got his reward five minutes after the break leading a counter attack with a 30-yard run into the penalty area.

Jordan’s left midfielder justified the number nine on the back of his shirt by cutting onto his right foot and curling home off the inside of the post to deservedly draw level.

The debutants were momentarily behind when Austria’s record goalscorer Arnautović came off the bench to punish Yazeed Abdulaila for failing to get enough on the punch to clear a corner from the left.

But a VAR check then spotted right back Stefan Pausch handling the ball before the 37-year-old had scored, recommending an on-field review by referee Dahan Beida before he disallowed the goal.

The laws of the game would have ruled it out regardless of whether the handball was intentional or not, bringing a reprieve for Jordan in their quest to surprise the Austrians.

But Jordan didn’t learn their lesson and clear the next corner at the first time of asking, and Arnautović contented with Al-Arab for the delivery and the defender inadvertently sent it past his own goalkeeper for what looked to be the winner.

Austria did well to conserve their momentum throughout the 10 minutes of added time at the end, as 37-year-old Arnautović’s attempt on goal in the dying embers was blocked by the hand of Saleem Obaid.

The former Stoke City striker buried the spot kick and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Austria a victory that may well flatter on first glance, but head coach Ragnick will nevertheless be pleased to get his World Cup campaign off to a winning start.

Analysis: another fearless performance from a World Cup underdog

One of the many joys to a World Cup is watching the underdogs strive to mount an upset.

First it was Cape Verde against Spain, and despite losing the battle with Austria the third of four teams making their debut in the tournament have taken a leaf out of their book and gave a very good account of themselves.

The vast majority of Jordan’s players won’t have known much else other than Middle Eastern football. Front man Mousa Al-Tamari is the only player in Jamal Sellami’s team to play for a club in Europe’s top five leagues, and one of two who play in Europe full stop.

Yet it was one of their regional representatives Ali Iyad Olwen, who plays in Qatar, that gave them their golden moment, and what a finish it was. The goalkeeper had no chance.

The move was also one of numerous counter-attacks where Jordan looked dangerous and threatened to score, making for quite the contrast to Austria’s more measured approach even after forcing a turnover high up the pitch.

Ragnick’s team are exemplary in forward pressing and are the leading European country in that respect, but for a lot of the game made very little of it.

Tactically, there was very little separating them from Austria and the FIFA Arab Cup finalists went toe-to-toe with Ralf Ragnick’s side throughout besides a nervy opening 20 minutes.

They will count themselves unfortunate with Yazan Al-Arab  own goal that gave their opponents the lead with not long left on the clock, before desperation took over with the handball that led to Marco Arnautovic converting the penalty deep into stoppage time.

Ultimately, Jordan fell to one moment of sheer quality from Werder Bremen winger Romano Schmid, one moment of misfortune, and one of dejection.

Although their best chance of a point at the World Cup may have come and gone, with Algeria and holders Argentina still to play, they can be proud of their efforts on debut.

What next for Austria and Jordan?

Austria will next take on Argentina fresh off of witnessing 39-year-old Lionel Messi remind the world just how good he is with a first World Cup hat-trick on Monday 22nd of June at 18:00 (BST), while Jordan face Algeria the next day at 04:00 (BST).

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.