Historic World Cup Victory
Austria Secures First World Cup Victory Since 1990, Defeating Debutant Jordan 3-1
Austria ended a 36-year wait for a World Cup win on Tuesday, beating Jordan 3-1 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It was Austria's first victory at the tournament since they beat the United States 2-1 back in 1990, Associated Press reported.
The match was closer than the final score suggests. Jordan, making their absolute debut at a World Cup, scored the first-ever World Cup goal in their nation's history. It took a fortunate own goal and a stoppage-time penalty — both checked by VAR — for Austria to pull clear.
How Austria Finally Broke Their 36-Year Curse
Romano Schmid put Austria ahead in the 20th minute with a strike from the edge of the area. Midfielder Xaver Schlager helped set up the goal. Schlager called the moment the result of "working your whole life to make it here."
Jordan hit back in the 50th minute. Striker Ali Olwan completed a long solo run on the counter and slotted home — the first World Cup goal in Jordanian history. Austria then saw a Marko Arnautovic goal wiped out in the 67th minute after VAR spotted a handball by defender Stefan Posch in the buildup.
A Lucky Own Goal and a Stoppage-Time Penalty Seal It
Austria retook the lead in the 76th minute in fortunate fashion. Jordanian defender Yazan Al-Arab deflected a Marcel Sabitzer corner into his own net. The score stood at 2-1 heading into stoppage time, according to Associated Press.
The game ran to over 100 minutes. In the 102nd minute, VAR awarded Austria a penalty for a handball by Jordan's Mohammad Abu Zrayq. Marko Arnautovic, 37, stepped up and converted to make it 3-1. The former West Ham striker is Austria's all-time top scorer and remains their go-to man in big moments.
Jordan's Historic Debut Earns Respect Despite the Loss
Jordan only reached this World Cup because the tournament expanded to 48 teams. They made the most of it. Their captain Ehsan Haddad said before the match that the squad felt "pride more than pressure." They qualified with 32 goals during their record-breaking campaign.
Hundreds of Jordanian fans drove 500 miles from San Diego to Santa Clara to cheer their team on. Middle Eastern media focused on Olwan's historic goal rather than the defeat, framing the match as a successful debut in spirit. Coach Jamal Sellami had guided the team to the tournament after a strong 2024 Asian Cup run.
Austria Face Argentina Next, Jordan Must Regroup Fast
Austria now sit on 3 points in Group J, level with Argentina. The two sides meet in Dallas on June 22 in a match that could decide who tops the group. Coach Ralf Rangnick had warned his players before Tuesday's game to stay sharp against Asian opponents — a caution that proved well-founded.
Jordan face Algeria in Kansas City on June 22, looking for their first World Cup points. Austria's squad leans heavily on Bundesliga talent — Rangnick used ten German top-flight players against Jordan. The win was narrow and scrappy, but after 36 years without a World Cup victory, Austria will not care.
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