Austria gets its first victory in a European Championship led by its captain David Alaba . The Austrian team added the first three points by defeating the debuting North Macedonia (3-1) on the first day of group C, in a duel played in Bucharest. Lainer opened the scoring, Pandev equalized and, first Gregoritz and then Arnautovic, sentenced the match.
Austria and North Macedonia met on the opening day of Group C of the European Championship at the Arena Nationala Stadium in Bucharest, on an afternoon in which the rain seemed to give a lull after a downpour the previous afternoon. Igor Angelovski’s men, along with the fans, put on a touch of excitement as the chords sounded and chanted the anthem for the first time at a European Championship. In front Austria, guided by David Alaba, was looking for its first victory in the continental tournament, with which to aspire to a second or third place in a group called to be led by the Netherlands.
The main focus of attention in Austria – Macedonia was on David Alaba , Real Madrid’s first addition for next season. The former Bayern player, used to playing as a midfielder in his national team, was placed in the center of the rear, as a libero and the creation of the game in the Austrian team started from his boots. Timidly both teams were approaching the area without too many demands for the goalkeepers and the rain was also appearing.
In a seemingly safe play, Austria’s first goal came. Sabitzer made a great cross from the left to the far post and Lainer appeared to make it 1-0 in Bucharest and send a message of support to Christian Eriksen. Again on the same wing came another chance to extend the lead, but Rayo goalkeeper Dimitrievski caught the shot from inside Kalajdzic .
Pandev scores a historic goal
Austria was loosening up and arriving more assiduously to the rival area, but before the first half hour of play was completed, Pandev took advantage of a loose ball in the area that escaped the goalkeeper and scored a historic goal for North Macedonia at will . At 37 years old, the person in charge of the pass to the first Eurocup was in charge of returning the tables to the scoreboard with a goal not without controversy, as there could have been a fault in the clash between Trajkovski and the goalkeeper, as evidenced by a UEFA repetition that he made himself wait until rest.
The draw took its toll on Austria, but little by little they came back to dominate the ball. Alaba was often looking for Sabitzer, dumped down the left wing and showed great passing effectiveness. In the last stages of the first half, Lainer put a good ball with a touch of first from the peak of the area, but cleared the rear and the 1-1 remained at the break.
At the resumption, Dragovic remained on the Austrian bench, having received a blow in a collision with Trajkovski – which cost the Mallorca player the yellow – and Lienhart entered. Austria continued to dominate the ball and Macedonia pressed up, waiting to steal a ball near the area.
Franco Foda’s team was looking for something more in attack and gave entry to Arnautovic and Gregoritsch and sat Baumgartner and Kalajdzic with just over half an hour ahead to try to find victory. As the black-green team repositioned themselves in Romania, Macedonia was about to surprise Macedonia with a masterful pass from Bardhi but saved by Bachmann with a quick start.
Minutes later it was Dimitrovski who showed off with a great stretch and repelled a ball that Gregoritsch had combed with one hand. Austria kept closing in on the area again and again, while Macedonia looked to surprise the counter with a highly inspired Bardhi. In the 68th minute, Schlager perked up with a shot from the edge but the Austrian’s shot went wide.
Praise unblocks the meeting
David Alaba was gaining freedom of movement in attack as the timer ran and Austria’s second goal was curdled in his boots. He got up on the left wing and gave a great assist so that Gregoritz, key from his entrance, put it inside and put the 2-1 on the scoreboard. A goal that again had a special dedication for the Danish player and that returned the Austrian captain to his most delayed starting position.
Austria had their options to make third through Sabitzer, while North Macedonia coach Igor Angelovski used up all his artillery waiting to find the prize with a draw. A hope that Arnautovic ended with, who sentenced the match with a goal in the 88th minute to put the final 3-1 with which Austria achieved its first victory in a European Championship.
