Austria waited 36 years for a World Cup victory. On a warm Tuesday morning in San Francisco, they finally got one — and with some style. A Romano Schmid thunderbolt, a Jordan own goal, and a stoppage-time Marko Arnautovic penalty combined to beat the tournament's first-time qualifiers 3-1, sending Ralf Rangnick's side to the top of Group K with an enormous confidence boost heading into the rest of the tournament.
Jordan arrived in California having made history simply by showing up — their debut at the sport's biggest stage. And for a spell early on, they looked like they had every right to be there. Captain Ehsan Haddad tested nerves with a sharp volley into the side netting inside 90 seconds, and Jordan's pressing game caused Austria visible discomfort in the opening exchanges. This was not the walkover many had predicted.
Schmid's Thunderbolt Broke the Deadlock
Austria settled, and in the 21st minute Romano Schmid settled things too — at least temporarily. Collecting the ball 25 yards out, the 24-year-old Werder Bremen midfielder shaped his body and lashed a left-footed strike into the top corner that gave the goalkeeper absolutely no chance. It was the kind of effort that replays itself in tournament highlight packages for years. Jordan refused to fold and pulled one back early in the second half through Ali Olwan, who cut in from the left and curled a shot off the far post and in — becoming the first Jordanian ever to score at a World Cup. A late own goal from a corner put Rangnick's side back in front with time running out.
Arnautovic Makes History at 37
Then came the moment the ground had been waiting for. In stoppage time, Jordan's Saleem Obeid was penalised for handball and up stepped Marko Arnautovic — Austria's all-time leading scorer, 37 years old and playing in what may be his only World Cup at this level. He didn't flinch. Calmly rolling the ball to the keeper's left, Arnautovic wheeled away with a celebration as big as the occasion, becoming Austria's oldest scorer at any World Cup in the process.
What This Means for Group K
Austria now sit top of Group K with three points. Portugal and Uzbekistan — both playing later on June 17 — are yet to score a point. Rangnick will not get carried away; Portugal await in what promises to be the group's defining fixture. But this was a professional, controlled performance after a rocky opening spell, and the manner in which Austria found a way to win when Jordan threatened to spoil the party will give the squad genuine belief. Arnautovic, typically, makes the difference when Austria need someone to step up. Some things do not change.
Match facts: Austria 3–1 Jordan | 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K | Levi's Stadium, San Francisco | Goals: Schmid 21', Olwan 48' (Jordan), Own Goal 78', Arnautovic 90+3' (pen)
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