Austria secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over FIFA World Cup 2026 debutants Jordan in their Group J opener on Tuesday, marking their return to the tournament after a 28-year absence. The win was ultimately sealed by a penalty in stoppage time from veteran forward Marko Arnautovic.

Jordan, making their first-ever appearance in the World Cup, provided a stern test for the Austrian side. The match, held in the San Francisco Bay Area, saw Austria take an early lead but then concede an equalizer before ultimately finding a way to claim the crucial three points.

Austria initially took the lead in the 20th minute through a powerful strike from Romano Schmid. However, their advantage was short-lived as Jordan's striker Ali Olwan equalized five minutes after halftime with a precise shot into the far corner. The match remained in the balance until late in the second half.

The victory places Austria in second position in Group J, trailing behind reigning World Cup champions Argentina, who secured a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria earlier in the day with a hat-trick from Lionel Messi. Jordan currently sits third in the group standings, with Algeria at the bottom.

Austria regained the lead in the 69th minute when Marko Arnautovic appeared to score from a goalmouth scramble. However, the goal was disallowed following a VAR review due to a handball by teammate Stefan Posch. The momentum swung back in Austria's favor seven minutes later when Yazan Al-Arab inadvertently deflected a Marcel Sabitzer corner into his own net, giving Austria a 2-1 advantage.

The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. Saleem Obeid was penalized for handball, and Arnautovic stepped up to convert the penalty, securing the 3-1 victory for Austria and providing a crucial winning start to their World Cup campaign.

This result is significant for Austria as they aim to make a mark in the tournament after their long hiatus. For Jordan, despite the loss, their debut performance showcased their potential and fighting spirit against a more experienced European nation.

The group stage continues with further matches that will shape the progression of teams towards the knockout stages. Austria will look to build on this win, while Jordan will aim to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.