Romania's national football team defeated Austria 1-0 (0-0) on Sunday evening at the National Arena in Bucharest, in Group H of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Tricolours scored in the final phase of the match through defender Virgil Ghita (90+5), who headed the ball into the net following a cross from Ianis Hagi.
Romania secured an important victory after a solid performance against the group leaders, providing a much-needed boost ahead of the final two group matches.
The first half was relatively closed, with no shots on target, although Romania had a few opportunities.
Mihaila (7') attempted an acrobatic overhead kick from 15 metres, but the ball went just wide. Hagi's shot (15') was blocked, followed by a wayward effort from Ratiu. In the 42nd minute, Birligea broke into the box, but his shot was blocked by Alaba.
The visitors started the second half stronger and could have opened the scoring through Sabitzer (49'), whose shot was saved by Ionut Radu at the top corner.
The Celta Vigo goalkeeper made a crucial intervention in the 56th minute, coming off his line to deny Laimer, who was through on goal.
Austria pushed forward more in the second half, but Romania defended well as a unit, giving the visitors little space. Mircea Lucescu's side managed to create several dangerous chances themselves, albeit lacking a bit of luck. Mihaila (60') struck the post from 20 metres out. Man (62') fired over the bar from 22 metres, and Ratiu (69') intercepted a ball, advanced and shot, but Schlager saved.
Romania finally grabbed the well-deserved win with the final play of the game, after a sustained attack.
In the 76th minute, a spectator entered the pitch but was quickly removed by security forces.
Defender Ovidiu Burca received a yellow card and will therefore miss Romania's next match on 15 November, away against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Romania will conclude the qualifying campaign on 18 November, at home against San Marino.
Romania - Austria 1-0 (0-0)
Scorer: Virgil Ghita (90+5)
Venue: National Arena, Bucharest - Attendance: 39,541
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Group H
Line-ups:
Romania: 1. Ionut Radu - 2. Andrei Ratiu, 3. Mihai Popescu (5. Virgil Ghita, 72'), 15. Andrei Burca, 8. Alexandru Chipciu - 23. Vlad Dragomir, 6. Marius Marin, 10. Ianis Hagi (captain) - 20. Dennis Man, 9. Daniel Birligea (17. Louis Munteanu, 88'), 13. Valentin Mihaila.
Coach: Mircea Lucescu.
Unused substitutes: 12. Stefan Tarnovanu, 16. Razvan Sava - 4. Lisav Naif Eissat, 7. Stefan Baiaram, 11. Kevin Ciubotaru, 14. Vladimir Screciu, 18. Razvan Marin, 19. Florin Tanase, 21. Olimpiu Morusan, 22. Adrian Sut.
Austria: 1. Alexander Schlager - 5. Stefan Posch, 8. David Alaba (captain), 15. Philipp Lienhart, 16. Phillipp Mwene (2. Alexander Prass, 65') - 20. Konrad Laimer, 6. Nicolas Seiwald - 18. Romano Schmid (23. Alessandro Schöpf, 86'), 19. Christoph Baumgartner (10. Florian Grillitsch, 65'), 9. Marcel Sabitzer - 11. Michael Gregoritsch (22. Raul Florucz, 86'). Coach: Ralf Rangnick.
Unused substitutes: 12. Nikolas Polster, 13. Patrick Pentz - 3. Marco Friedl, 4. Kevin Danso, 7. Marko Arnautovic, 14. Leopold Querfeld, 17. Marco Grüll, 21. Nikolaus Wurmbrand.
Match Officials:
Referee: Davide Massa, Assistant referees: Filippo Meli, Stefano Alassio; Fourth official: Simone Sozza (all from Italy)
VAR: Michael Fabbri; Assistant VAR: Rosario Abisso (both from Italy)
UEFA Referee Observer: Mehmet Ilgaz (Türkiye); UEFA Delegate: Luis Cuervas Del Real (Spain)
Yellow cards - Baumgartner (6'), Schmid (40'), Burca (53'), Mwene (56'), Mihaila (67'), Alaba (81').
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