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Austria Beat Debutants Jordan In World Cup Opener

The Austrians went ahead at Levi's Stadium near San Francisco when Romano Schmid produced a brilliant opening goal, smashing in a shot from distance.


Austria’s midfielder Romano Schmid (L) shoots to score the opening goal during the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Austria and Jordan at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on June 16, 2026. (Photo by GEORG HOCHMUTH / APA / AFP)

 

Austria were given a scare by World Cup debutants Jordan on Tuesday before securing a 3-1 win rounded off by a penalty in added time from veteran forward Marko Arnautovic.

The Austrians went ahead at Levi’s Stadium near San Francisco when Romano Schmid produced a brilliant opening goal, smashing in a shot from distance.

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Jordan never stopped chasing the game, and Ali Olwan’s glancing header nearly put them level before he scored the first World Cup goal in his country’s history — and it was worth the wait.

He cut in and directed a superb right-footed shot past Austria ‘keeper Alexander Schlager and off the post.

But Austria regained the lead in the 76th minute thanks to an own goal from Yazan al-Arab before 37-year-old former West Ham man Arnautovic added a stoppage-time penalty to make the game safe.

 

 

AFP