Austria off to winning World Cup start as Dejan Ljubičić remains on bench

Austria made a winning start to their World Cup campaign on Wednesday (17/6), with Ralf Rangnick’s side beating Jordan 3-1. Schalke 04 midfielder Dejan Ljubičić, who was called up shortly before the tournament as a replacement for the injured Christoph Baumgartner, remained on the bench in Santa Clara.

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Romano Schmid celebrates Austria's opening goal

Romano Schmid gave Austria the lead in front of 68,527 fans at Levi’s Stadium, scoring the country’s first World Cup goal in 28 years. The Werder Bremen attacker took aim from just outside the Jordan area and curled a superb right-footed effort into the top corner (21’).

Jordan impressed on their World Cup debut and drew level with a fine goal of their own shortly after the restart. Al-Sailiya forward Ali Olwan bent the ball in from around 12 yards, finding the far corner via the inside of the post (50’).

Penalty seals it in stoppage time

Austria still found a way to get the job done though. Yazan Al-Arab was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net when it went in off his back in the 77th minute, before former Werder Bremen striker Marko Arnautovic, now at Red Star Belgrade, converted a penalty in the 12th minute of stoppage time following a handball to wrap up the win.

Rangnick’s side will face reigning world champions Argentina in their second Group J game on Monday (22/6). Kick-off in Dallas is at 19:00 CEST. Austria then take on Algeria in Kansas City on Sunday (28/6), with that match getting underway at 04:00 CEST.

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