Austria overcome scare against Jordan to earn win in World Cup opener

Jordan carved out the first opportunity inside two minutes, as a quick counter-attack resulted in Ehsan Haddad hitting the side netting, and confidence continued to build after Musa Al-Taamari had the first shot on goal soon after, albeit resulting in the simplest of saves for Alexander Schlager.

The Jordanians sat deep in defence to stifle the Austrian threat and hit them on the break, which nearly worked to full effect when Odeh Al-Fakhouri took aim from 25 yards, forcing Schlager to tip over.

But the debutants’ bright start was wiped out on the 20-minute mark, when Xaver Schlager laid the ball back for Romano Schmid, who curled Austria’s first real chance straight into the top corner from outside the area.

Al-Nashama were inches from a perfect response two minutes later, when a corner was worked to the near post, but Ali Olwan’s header clipped the crossbar.

Austria exerted better control after the first-half hydration break, but only until Olwan unleashed a fierce shot in the 34th minute, which the goalkeeper could only parry to Al-Taamari, and his follow-up needed a vital block from Philipp Lienhart.

The West Asian side were the stronger as HT approached, but an Al-Taamari effort dragged wide in added time was the closest they came to levelling before the break.

The moment that will live forever in Jordanian football history arrived five minutes into the second half, as they forced a turnover in their own half, allowing Noor Al-Rawabdeh to set Olwan away down the left wing, where he cut into the 18-yard box to send a clean strike around Schlager and in off the post for his 30th international goal.

As their opponents did in the first half, Das Team responded positively to conceding. And after half-chances for Stefan Posch and Carney Chukwuemeka, Austria thought they had gone ahead again when substitute Marko Arnautović stabbed home at a corner, only for it to be disallowed following a VAR review for handball by Posch before the ball dropped to Austria’s record scorer.

But Ralf Rangnick’s side weren’t to be denied at their next corner 13 minutes from time, as Marcel Sabitzer’s delivery caused havoc in the Jordan defence and was diverted into his own net by Yazan Al-Arab.

Although Arnautović failed to increase the winning margin by shooting straight at Yazeed Abulaila when one-on-one, his ball across goal in the 10th minute of added time was handled by Salim Obaid.

Taking the responsibility himself, Arnautović dispatched the penalty for his 48th international goal, sealing Austria’s first WC win since 1990 to join Argentina on three points in Group J.

Jamal Sellami’s side will be grateful not to have to face another UEFA member in the group, as they are now winless in eight against European opposition.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Xaver Schlager (Austria)

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