24 Sept 2026

Austria 3-1 Israel: Late flurry and Kalajdžić decide Nations League opener

Austria opened UEFA Nations League, League B Group 3 with a 3-1 win over Israel in Linz, powered by two stoppage-time strikes. Romano Schmid’s penalty gave the hosts a first-half lead, Saied Abu Farchi headed Israel level after the break, then the game tilted when the scorer was sent off moments later. Phillipp Mwene restored the advantage in the 90th minute, before Saša Kalajdžić finished a fast break in added time. The final score reflected Austria’s steady control and attacking volume more than a last-gasp smash and grab. Full match data and player details are available on Sofascore.

How the game was won

Austria set up in a 4-2-3-1 and gradually imposed their rhythm after a balanced opening phase. They finished with 52% possession, but the real gap showed in chance quality, where xG read 2.68 to 0.21. Ralf Rangnick’s side fired 19 shots to Israel’s 5 and put 9 on target, forcing consistent work from visiting goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Israel’s 4-1-4-1 relied on compact spacing and breakaways, yet they produced just 1 shot on target, which was the goal. The hosts repeatedly worked the wide channels and deliveries, reflected in 8 accurate crosses to Israel’s none from six attempts.

Austria’s superiority also came through in final-third play and presence in the box. They logged 49 final-third entries and completed 159 of 196 passes in that zone, far outpacing Israel’s 53 of 79. Touches in the penalty area ended 42 to 4, a stark sign of territory owned and pressure applied. Their aerial edge mattered too, winning 65% of aerial duels and controlling second balls. In short, the home side created more, asked more questions, and got the late answers.

Momentum and turning points

Schmid broke the deadlock on 43 minutes from the spot, a cool finish to cap Austria’s first-half xG superiority of 1.46 to 0.13. Israel responded after the restart when Abu Farchi met a corner with a precise header in the 55th minute. The momentum swing was brief, because Abu Farchi received a second booking and was sent off one minute later. Reduced to ten, Israel had to defend deeper, and the second-half numbers reflected that: Austria had 62% possession and 12 shots to 3.

Still, Israel hung in thanks to Peretz, who made six saves and prevented 0.87 goals by Sofascore’s model. Their 29 clearances underscored how much time they spent repelling attacks in and around the box. Austria pushed, rotated the bench at the right times, and kept fielding service from both sides. The payoff arrived late when Paul Wanner, introduced at half-time, picked the right cross for Mwene to slam home on 90 minutes. Three minutes later, a quick transition freed Christoph Lang to assist Kalajdžić, who finished with his left foot to seal it.

Numbers that told the story

Austria’s attacking profile was backed by volume and quality. They posted 6 big chances to Israel’s 1 and created 3.87 expected goals on target to 0.19. Nine shots on target from 19 efforts is healthy against a team that defended low for long stretches. Cross completion landed at 32% for Austria, while Israel finished at 0% from six tries. Austria also committed to second-ball duels in the air and won 15 of 23.

Out of possession, the hosts were proactive and tidy. They made 24 tackles to Israel’s 7 and won 75% of those, adding 11 interceptions and 55 recoveries. Israel’s 29 clearances and 10 times dispossessed underline the pressure they faced, particularly after the red card. Ground duels were nearly even, but Austria decisively controlled the aerials. The average team Sofascore Rating finished 7.91 for Austria versus 6.34 for Israel, a neat summary of the gap.

Standout performances

Daniel Peretz was Israel’s standout with a Sofascore Rating 8.3, making six saves in a busy night that kept the visitors in the match far longer than the shot map suggested. He registered two high claims and posted positive goals prevented despite facing nine shots on target. On the Austrian side, Paul Wanner changed the game’s tempo from half-time, supplying 3 key passes and 1 assist while completing 2 of 4 crosses for a 7.5. Phillipp Mwene, who scored the go-ahead goal at 90 minutes, earned an 8.0 with 9 crosses and steady two-way work.

Romano Schmid delivered the opener and a 7.7, adding 4 key passes and two big chances created from central pockets. At the back, Philipp Lienhart’s 7.4 came with 66 of 69 passes completed and 10 recoveries as Austria built cleanly from deep. Kevin Danso was robust in duels and clearances, posting 7.1 with 7 clearances and 3 tackles won. Xaver Schlager’s line-breaking distribution mattered too, completing 54 passes, 2 accurate crosses, and creating two big chances for a 7.3. All of it added up to the platform that let the late goals land.

MVP: Saša Kalajdžić

Brought on after 36 minutes, Saša Kalajdžić earned a Sofascore Rating 8.9 with a decisive cameo. He scored Austria’s third at 90+3 minutes on a fast break and had 3 shots on target from 4 attempts. He also won the first-half penalty that opened the scoring sequence, a key swing in a tight match state. Beyond the goal, he contributed a key pass, 5 recoveries, and 4 total duels won, including 3 in the air.

Kalajdžić’s expected goals stood at 0.41 with 1.40 expected goals on target, speaking to the quality of his finishing. He linked play with 9 accurate passes and helped Austria keep pressure high after the red card. His movement attacked the near-post spaces that Israel’s back line struggled to protect in transition. When the game needed a finisher, he provided exactly that, and he did it with poise.