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Jordan have scored their first World Cup goal, with the debutants level with Austria in their Group J clash in Santa Clara.
Romano Schmid curled a beautiful effort beyond Yazeed Abulaila in the 20th minute to break the deadlock at Levi’s Stadium.
But Ali Olwan’s sensational finish, in off the far post just five minutes after half-time, was the least Jordan have deserved as they pulled level.
Both teams are in Group J alongside defending champions Argentina, who beat Algeria 3-0 earlier today thanks to an historic Lionel Messi hat-trick in Kansas City.
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59' Austria 1-1 Jordan
Three substitutions for Austria with captain David Alaba one of the trio taken off. Left-back Mwene and midfielder Xaver Schlager (not to be confused with goalkeeper Alexander Schlager) are also taken off.
Schlager, Xaver that is, is replaced by Carney Chukwuemeka of Dortmund.
Ali Olwan found the very same top corner Romano Schmid did: same angle, same foot. The only difference being where Schmid struck from a central position, Olwan’s came arrowing in from the right.
Jordan, lively on the break all night, have the leveller their endeavour merited.
55' Austria 1-1 Jordan
Austria under heavy pressure now — Al-Tamari found Olwan in the box but this time the Austrian back line was able to clear.
Olwan then crossed out to Ihsan Haddad in space but the captain’s strike was weak and Schlager was able to pounce on it.
Olwan scores Jordan’s first ever goal at the World Cup and Levi’s stadium erupts!
The same man who scored a phenomenal hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Oman that sealed Jordan’s qualification for the World Cup, has now put them level.
51' Austria 1-1 Jordan
It had to be a counter-attack for Jordan! After they won possession back, Ali Olwan was released in space down the left wing and did a superb job weaving into the box.
This time, Austria were a tick late to close down on the speedy No 9 and he lined one up with a perfect angle to beat Schlager in goal, pinging his shot in off the far post.
Jordan get their first World Cup goal on their World Cup debut!
50' Austria 1-1 Jordan
ALI OLWAN! HISTORY FOR JORDAN!
There are not many boxes left for Marko Arnautovic to tick.
The Austria forward made his international debut as a teenager in 2008 and despite playing at two European Championships, the World Cup has eluded the 37-year-old until tonight.
Austria’s all-time leader for both appearances (133) and goals (47) could put some much needed distance between Rangnick’s side and Jordan here.
Austria also owe plenty to him. The veteran striker scored eight goals during qualifying — the same number as England captain Harry Kane and the Netherlands’ Memphis Depay, with only Norway’s Erling Haaland scoring more across the European qualifying campaign.
47' Austria 1-0 Jordan
Impressive piece of build-up from Jordan, but it fizzles out as Schlager easily gets his hands on the shot by Al-Tamari from an impossible angle.
46' Austria 1-0 Jordan
One change for Austria as Marko Arnautovic takes over at the striker spot for Sasa Kalajdzic.
Ralf Rangnick looking for that second goal, perhaps?
No mystery here. Jordan’s talisman has been the spark every time the white jerseys have pushed forward, and the numbers bear it out.
Mousa Al-Tamari managed three shots, beat his man on three of six dribbles and had six touches inside the Austria box in the first half — all without losing possession once.
If Jamal Sellami’s side is to draw level, the smart money says it runs through their star man.
A half settled, for now, by a single piece of quality — so the nod goes to its author.
Schmid’s finish was the work of a player in complete control: the body shape to manufacture the angle, the composure to pick his spot, a strike the goalkeeper never moved for.
On an evening when Austria have had to be patient against feisty Jordan, it was the moment that pried the door open.
A terrific shot here from Richard Heathcote via Getty Images, as Romano Schmid heads over to celebrate his goal with the Austria bench.
A lot of competition for the headlines and back-page images today — but if it stays like this, Schmid should at least have them to himself in Austria come the morning.
The shape of the half is plain enough. Austria have bossed possession and territory, Alaba stepping out from the back and Kalajdzic giving them something to build around, penning Jordan in.
The catch for Rangnick is what lies behind: every time the debutants break, Al-Tamari has the pace to unsettle them — and the woodwork has already shaken once.
Control without a second goal can be a precarious thing.
The Austrian captain was just six years old when Austria last appeared at a World Cup in 1998. Now 33, he finally gets his chance on the biggest stage and is marshalling his team from centre-back.
David Alaba has had to be patient over the last couple of years. The Real Madrid defender, who will leave the club this summer, had a major setback in 2023 when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that ruled him out of Euro 2024. Despite not playing, he still went to Germany with his team-mates as a non-playing captain, watching them reach the round of 16.
Austria have a tender 1-0 lead but Alaba will need to ensure his side stay defensively resolute and disciplined against a tricky and unrelenting opponent heading into the second half.
Romano Schmid just provided Austria’s first goal in the World Cup since 1998. He plays for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.
The most recent Austria goal before Schmind’s stellar strike was by Andi Herzog in that 1998 tournament … while he was playing his club football for Werder Bremen.
Thanks to Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero for digging up that factoid.
A very open and transitional half. Jordan have not created clear-cut chances but have threatened on the counter, while Austria took their opportunity thanks to a thunderbolt from Schmid.
If Austria can stay composed and structured, they will keep Jordan at bay.
They’ll want to double their lead to give themselves more of a cushion though.
Romano Schmid lit up that first half with a corker. Another top goal to add to the World Cup collection today.
That was the best goal scored at this tournament in about … an hour.
Forty-five minutes at Levi’s Stadium and Ralf Rangnick’s men hold a narrow lead built on a flash of genuine class — Romano Schmid, released by slick one-touch interplay, swivelled at the edge of the area and bent a gorgeous effort into the top corner.
The debutants, mind you, refuse to be cowed: barely had the celebrations faded before Jordan crashed a leveller-in-waiting against the crossbar, and Mousa Al-Tamari keeps threatening to spring something on the break.
HT: Austria 1-0 Jordan
Good read by Xavier Schlager as a long through ball over the top nearly found Al-Tamari streaking down the middle, but the keeper came all the way out of the box to clear.
Al-Tamari races back into the box shortly after with the ball at his feet but is closed down by three Austrians, and the ball is cleared before he can get off a shot.
Kaladjdzic then tries a long-range shot in trying to copy Schmind’s stellar opener and it skies well over the crossbar. The half-time whistle blows moments later.
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JOR
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