3-1 in the Nations League

LIVE NOW: Austria takes on Kosovo!

Jubilation, excitement, and joy—Patrick Wimmer and Junior Adamu celebrate on behalf of the entire red-white-red team after Austria’s commanding home victory over Kosovo …(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Second game, second win—Following their 3-1 victory over Israel in Linz, Austria’s national soccer team celebrated another resounding victory today in Vienna against Kosovo, marking a perfect start to the new Nations League season! Against the visitors coached by former ÖFB head coach Franco Foda, David Affengruber (23'), Junior Adamu (45’+2), and Carney Chukwuemeka (61’) scored for the red-white-reds, while Edon Zhegrova pulled one back for Kosovo on a penalty kick (83’).

Rangnick shuffled his starting lineup in six positions compared to the 3-1 win over Israel. Salzburg goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky made his debut in goal, as did club teammate Nikolas Veratschnig at right back. Affengruber, Maximilian Wöber, Paul Wanner, and forward Adamu also joined the lineup. Xaver Schlager led the ÖFB squad onto the field as captain for the first time.

The Austrian starting lineup(Bild: GEPA)

The Kosovar starting lineup(Bild: GEPA)

Michael Gregoritsch, who was sidelined with an ankle injury, was not in the squad, nor were Philipp Lienhart, Phillipp Mwene, and Lukas Jungwirth. Zawieschitzky, one of two potential goalkeeping debutants, was chosen over LASK goalkeeper Jungwirth. The 19-year-old Tyrolean became the youngest ÖFB goalkeeper since the legendary Walter Zeman in 1946. Zeman had been just 18 years old when he made his national team debut in 1945.

Affengruber’s header
In front of 47,000 spectators at the nearly sold-out Ernst Happel Stadium—about a third of whom were supporting the visitors—the guests had the first major scoring chance. Following a counterattack, captain and goal-scorer Vedat Muriqi shot over the goal from an excellent position (6th minute). At the other end, Adamus’s shot lacked any real threat (7th minute). Midway through the first half, Affengruber struck: The Fulham defender, in his second international match—and his first as a starter—delicately headed a free-kick cross from Wanner into the far corner. The goal stood up to a VAR review for a possible offside.

Patrick Wimmer had a chance to make it 2–0 but instead passed the ball across to Romano Schmid. Schmid’s shot was blocked (35th minute). Wimmer remained unselfish, setting up Adamu with a cross after a counterattack that left him alone in front of Kosovo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric. The Schalke forward, making his tenth senior national team appearance—his first since November 2024—had only to tap it in. Like Affengruber, it was his first goal for the ÖFB team.

(Bild: GEPA)

“Super sub” goal seals the deal
After the break, Zawieschitzky made his first notable save: The teenager used his foot to stop a close-range header by Muriqi, and Veratschnig blocked the follow-up shot (51'). Rangnick brought in fresh legs with Alexander Prass, Sasa Kalajdzic, and Chukwuemeka—two of whom were involved in the 3-0 goal just three minutes after coming on: Kalajdzic played a backheel pass to Wanner in the penalty area; Muric couldn’t hold onto Wanner’s sharp cross, and Chukwuemeka pounced on the rebound to score his second international goal.

Vasilije Markovic then made his international debut. The 18-year-old midfield prospect from Austria Vienna came on for Wanner, who appeared to be slightly injured (68th minute). In the 79th minute, Wimmer broke through once again but took too long to pass to Kalajdzic. Kosovo’s substitute goalkeeper Amir Saipi, who had come on for the injured Muric, was ready for the save.

Extending their home winning streak
Shortly afterward, Affengruber handled the ball while attempting to clear it against Sturm Graz’s Valmir Matoshi; Zhegrova, the Juventus Turin pro who had come on as a substitute for Matoshi, confidently converted the resulting penalty kick into the left corner. The Austrians, however, comfortably held on for the victory in their first match against the young Balkan republic, which sits 55 spots behind them at No. 78 in the FIFA World Rankings.

(Bild: GEPA)

Rangnick’s squad extended their ÖFB record streak to 16 consecutive unbeaten home games. In addition, the Austrians scored at least one goal in their 28th consecutive home match. In doing so, they surpassed the previous association record of 27 in a row set between 1935 and 1951. On Thursday, the ÖFB team will face Ireland in Dublin, before the return match against Kosovo is scheduled for Sunday in Prishtina.

The result:
Austria – Kosovo 3–1 (1–0)
Vienna, Ernst Happel Stadium, 47,000 spectators, Referee Nicholas Walsh (SCO)

Goals: 1–0 (23’) Affengruber, 2–0 (45’+2) Adamu, 3–0 (61’) Chukwuemeka, 3–1 (83’/penalty) Zhegrova

Yellow cards: Danso (suspended for the next match on Thursday in Dublin against Ireland), Affengruber; Raci, Matoshi

Austria: Zawieschitzky – Veratschnig (79' Friedl), Affengruber, Danso, Wöber (58' Prass) – Seiwald, X. Schlager – Wimmer, Wanner (68' Markovic), Schmid (58' Chukwuemeka) – Adamu (58' Kalajdzic)
Kosovo: Muric (65. Saipi) – Dellova, I. Krasniqi, Raci – Vojvoda, Hodza (46. Matoshi), Avdullahu, Gallapeni – E. Krasniqi (46. Zhegrova), Muriqi (79. Asllani), Zabergja (46. Avdyli)