Euro 2020: Austria’s first win in 31 years
It was Austria's first win at a major soccer tournament in 31 years and its first ever at the European Championship.
Bucharest: The Austrians finally earned a victory at the European Championship, getting the goals they needed from the bench.
Michael Gregoritsch and Marko Arnautovic both came on as substitutes and scored late to help Austria beat North Macedonia 3-1 on Sunday in Group C.
“Congratulations to lads, they wrote history tonight,” Austria coach Franco Foda said.
“The substitutions were important, that’s why you have players on the bench.
“Gregortisch and Arnautovic gave the team a new impulse.”
It was Austria’s first win at a major soccer tournament in 31 years and its first ever at the European Championship.
Austria captain David Alaba set up the winning goal for Gregoritsch, curling in a perfect cross in the 78th minute. Arnautovic then collected backheel flick from Konrad Leimer before calmly rounding goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski and scoring the final goal with a minute to go.
Both forwards came on in the 59th minute with the score even at 1-1.
Austria defender Stefan Lainer scored the first goal in the 18th minute, and then grabbed a white shirt from the bench to deliver a message to Christian Eriksen, the Denmark midfielder who collapsed on the field on Saturday in Copenhagen. Gregoritsch did the same thing after his goal.
“Eriksen, stay strong,” the message read.
Austria’s lead didn’t last long, though.
North Macedonia captain Goran Pandev equalized 10 minutes later, making the 37-year-old veteran the second oldest player to score in the tournament’s history. Only Ivica Vastic was older when he scored for Austria against Poland at Euro 2008 at the age of 38.
The goal was Pandev’s 38th for his country.
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