Austria secured a 3-1 (2-0) victory over Kosovo in the UEFA Nations League at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Sunday. Goals from David Affengruber, Junior Adamu and Carney Chukwuemeka sealed the win for Ralf Rangnick's side.
Affengruber headed the hosts in front in the 23rd minute from a Romano Schmid cross. Adamu doubled the lead just before half-time, finishing off a Patrick Wimmer pass. Substitute Chukwuemeka put the result beyond doubt with a neat finish in the 61st minute. Kosovo's lone reply came from the penalty spot via Edon Zhegrova with seven minutes remaining.
Rangnick set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Christian Zawieschitzky in goal and a midfield pivot of Xaver Schlager and Nicolas Seiwald. Austria controlled large spells, enjoying 52% possession and registering 11 shots, six of which were on target.
The result extends Austria's positive run to two consecutive competitive wins.
Attention now turns to the next Nations League group fixture. Austria travel to face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Thursday. Follow the build-up and check the latest squad news on our pages.
Austria won 3-1 against Israel in Linz on Thursday. The goals were scored by Romano Schmid from the penalty spot, Phillipp Mwene and Sasa Kalajdzic. Israeli forward Saied Abu Farchi was sent off after his 55th-minute equalizer for a controversial goal celebration involving the corner flag. The next away match in the Nations League takes place on Thursday, October 1st, in Dublin.
In the 3-1 win over Kosovo, goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky became, at 19, the youngest Austrian in that position in 81 years, the Austrian FA confirmed. The debutant's only concession was a penalty. Nikolas Veratschnig also made his debut in the starting eleven on his second senior call-up.
