Debutants Jordan earn plaudits despite 1-3 loss to Austria
Austria began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3-1 victory over Jordan in a competitive Group J encounter that saw the tournament debutants push the Europeans for long periods before succumbing late in the game.
Austria took the lead in the 21st minute through Romano Schmid, whose strike capped a strong opening spell by Ralf Rangnick’s side.
Austria controlled possession and looked comfortable, but Jordan remained dangerous on the counterattack and nearly equalized on several occasions.
Jordan’s persistence paid off shortly after the break when Ali Olwan found the net in the 50th minute to make it 1-1, sparking celebrations among the Jordanian supporters.
The goal rewarded a spirited display by Jamal Sellami’s side, who showed confidence and discipline despite appearing in their first-ever World Cup match.
The decisive moment came in the 76th minute when Jordan defender Yazan Al Arab inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, restoring Austria’s lead.
Jordan continued to press for another equalizer, but Austria held firm and wrapped up the victory deep into stoppage time when veteran striker Marko Arnautović came off the bench to score Austria’s third goal.
Despite the defeat, Jordan earned widespread praise for their energetic display, with many observers highlighting their pace, determination and attacking intent against more experienced opposition.
Austria, meanwhile, secured an important three points ahead of a tougher Group J test against Argentina.
