Austria captain Marcel Sabitzer led by example as Austria beat Romania 2-1 at the Ernst Happel Stadion to open their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign in style.
After winning seven of their previous eight games (L1), Romania entered the
encounter in the Austrian capital of Vienna in excellent form, and Mircea
Lucescu’s team wasted little time in showing off their attaking prowess. Referee Maurizio Mariani denid two early requests for penaties after just eight minutes had elapsed. Horatiu Moldovan made a
brilliant save to prevent Sabitzer from opening the score, continuing the game’s
all-action start. Nine minutes later, the deadlock should have been broken. Maximilian Wober, who came up from the back for another Austrian attack, sadly showed why his specific skill set belongs at the other end of the field rather than in the last third as he blasted high into the stands from a pretty short distance. Before halftime, Austria firmly persisted in their pursuit of the game’s first goal, but it initially looked as though Das Team would have to settle for a goalless draw because Moldovan twice denied Sabitzer in between acrobatically blocking Romano Schmid’s ferocious effort.
However, that all changed in the 42nd minute as Wober’s header back into the danger zone was powerfully volleyed in by Michael Gregoritsch.
Even after coming under increasing pressure throughout the opening quarter-hour of the second half, which saw Denis Dragus nearly equalise for Romania, Austria fortuitously put the game to bed after 60 minutes.
Leading by example, Sabitzer finally got his name onto the scoresheet with a strike from just outside of the area that took a double deflection before it beat Moldovan at his near post.
Though ahead by two goals, Austria owed a debt of gratitude to Patrick Pentz in the closing moments as he made two incredible stops to keep an exciting finish from being set up by Nicolae Stanciu’s set-piece and substitute Adrian Sut’s daring long-range attempt.
Denis Alibec gave Romania a late consolation goal with the game’s final kick, but it was too late to ruin Austria’s opening-day FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying victory, which puts them in a strong position going into Tuesday’s meeting against Group H outsiders San Marino.
Cyprus is the tourist to Bucharest, therefore Romania will return home to familiar surroundings.
