World Cup Playoff Live Updates

LIVE: ÖFB Women Battle Kosovo for a World Cup Spot

Early celebrations for the ÖFB women’s team!(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Austria’s women’s national team is facing Kosovo for a spot in the second and final World Cup playoff round. The ÖFB team won the first leg 2–1. In the second leg, they aim to secure their ticket to the next round. We’re reporting live—see the live updates below. The score is currently 1–0.

Goals: 1 –0 Marie Theresa Höbinger (7th) 

Other: Injury-related substitution for the ÖFB: Barbara Dunst comes on for the injured forward Annabel Schasching (17th min.) 

Here’s the live ticker:

Here’s the starting lineup:

The door is open; now it’s just a matter of walking through it: After a 2-1 victory in the first leg in Kosovo, Austria’s women’s national soccer team holds all the cards in the battle to advance to the second and final playoff round on the road to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. As was the case during ÖFB head coach Lars Söndergaard’s debut, the match will be played at the Sport-Club-Platz in Vienna. Back then, they secured a 1-0 victory against Slovenia in Dornbach.

ÖFB Head Coach Lars Söndergaard(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

“We were successful here last time, and I expect that to be the case tomorrow as well,” said Söndergaard. He noted that the victory in Pristina was very important and puts the team in a good position. “But we’ve only played the first half; we’ve seen where our opponent’s strengths lie, and we’re approaching the game with a certain amount of respect,” explained the Dane. The first—and only truly successful—counterattack in the first match led to an early Kosovo lead by Ereleta Memeti (14th minute).

According to Puntigam, “Counterpressing was a key factor”
“They really sat very deep in the first leg, and that worked for them. But we’re also prepared for the possibility that they’ll sit higher up the field this time,” said Söndergaard. In any case, it’s important not to defend “one-on-one” against Memeti and Modesta Uka, who is expected to be in the starting lineup this time. According to ÖFB captain Sarah Puntigam, counter-pressing will be a key factor. “As soon as we lose the ball, we have to be right there immediately, not giving them any chance to bring their top players into the game.”

ÖFB captain Sarah Puntigam(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Instead of a slow start like in Pristina—where Nicole Billa didn’t score the 2-1 goal until the 81st minute—the team aims to lay the groundwork for a victory earlier this time in the match between the world No. 23 and No. 84. To do so, they’ll need to improve their play in the final third. “We’ve made a few adjustments. Set pieces are always a weapon, and we’ve been working on playing more crosses into the box,” reported Marie-Therese Höbinger, citing “patience and discipline” as key factors in the match. Söndergaard called for “even more pressure and even more power” in the team’s attacking play.

Wenger’s Status Still Uncertain
The Danish coachstillhad “a few” question marks regarding his lineup ahead of the final training session. One concern is Claudia Wenger, who has recently been struggling with injury but is set to return to the starting lineup. Sarah Zadrazil, now back in shape, would also be an option following her return to the team last week. “We’ll make two or three changes,” Söndergaard announced.

The prospect of a potential World Cup debut is driving his players, including 17-year-old Valentina Pötzl, who performed a dance routine on Sunday to mark her debut. It was clear during the final practice that morale is high. “It’s no longer just a dream to play in the World Cup—it’s more of a source of motivation. We have a realistic path ahead of us, and that has to spur everyone on,” Höbinger explained. According to Puntigam, the men’s World Cup this summer showed just how much euphoria such an event can generate in Austria. “People talk about the World Cup every now and then, but we still have a few hurdles ahead of us,” added the player, who plays in the U.S.

Switzerland is likely to be the opponent in the second round
The final opponent, likelyinlate November or early December, would be Switzerland, which won the first leg against Israel 7–3—just like Austria, after coming back from a deficit. “The level of play is getting better and better; everything has gotten tighter, and every team can defend well. That’s why it’s important for us to give 100 percent against Kosovo, because 70 or 80 percent might not be enough,” said Zadrazil. 2,500 tickets had been sold by Monday at noon, and the main stand is sold out.