Crazy seconds

Power failure in Linz – shortly afterwards it’s 2:1

Power cut in Linz - shortly afterwards Marko Arnautovic scored to make it 2:1.(Bild: AFP/APA/Joe Klamar)

A crazy first few minutes in the second half of the Nations League clash between Austria and Norway. Just as Romano Schmid was about to take the free-kick, the lights went out in the Raiffeisen Arena. A few minutes later, Marko Arnautovic converted a penalty to make it 2:1.

48 minutes had been played when the referee awarded a free-kick to Red-White-Red. Schmid took the ball, took a three-step run-up and ... black. The lights in the arena went out and the ORF TV commentators Thomas König and Michael Liendl suddenly went silent. 

Penalty foul for Austria
However, the light switch was soon found again and Schmid was able to cross the ball into the penalty area as planned. However, Christoph Baumgartner was brought down there by Andreas Hanche-Olsen and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Captain Arnautovic took responsibility and fired the ball perfectly next to the left goalpost - the Inter Milan international's second goal of the evening.

Arnautovic converted the penalty with aplomb.(Bild: GEPA)

Schmid was also involved in a goal nine minutes later. His corner kick found its recipient in Philipp Lienhart, the defender confidently headed home to make it 3:1, and Stefan Posch made it 4:1 four minutes later (62'). And that was not all: substitute Michael Gregoritsch was also able to add his name to the list of goalscorers. The Freiburg striker scored with his first touch of the ball in the 71st minute to make the final score 5:1.