Austria is playing in its first World Cup since 1998. Jordan is playing in its first World Cup ever. Victory was on the side of the returnees on Tuesday.
The heavily favored Austrian side came away with a 3-1 win at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium, surviving a back-and-forth match against a team ranked 67th in the world. The victory gives them a leg up to advance out of Group J, where Argentina and Algeria also reside.
Advertisement
Austria struck first, scoring its first World Cup goal in 28 years when Romano Schmid scored on a screamer from outside the penalty area.
Jordan’s first goal ever in the tournament came early in the second, with similar beauty as a counter-attacking Ali Olwan weaved his way through the Austria defense.
The drama came in two stages, later in the second half. Austria appeared to retake the lead when some ricochets on a corner kick led to a clear net for Marko Arnautovic, but Jordan successfully argued that Stefan Posch had committed a handball in the chaos.
A VAR review overturned the goal, and Austria clearly disagreed. They got their “ball don’t lie” moment minutes later when another corner saw Yazan Al-Arab accidentally head in the fifth own goal of the tournament.
Tempers flared soon after that, with players needing to be separated and Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer getting a yellow card.
Advertisement
Another handball, this time in favor of Austria, sealed the game in stoppage time. Arnautovic got his goal back on a penalty kick after VAR found a handball.
Austria won the possession battle, but this was absolutely a winnable match, or at least tie-able, for Jordan, which actually recorded more shots and shots on goal. Austria had the better chances overall, but its aggressive pressing style gave the underdogs plenty of opportunities.
Austria’s next match will be a clash with Argentina next Monday in Arlington, Texas, while Jordan will face Algeria in Santa Clara that same day. Argentina opened its tournament with a win earlier Tuesday, behind a hat trick by Lionel Messi.
