With a goal in the very last second, Romania kept its chance at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The Austrians missed a small preliminary decision due to the 0-1 (0-0) defeat.
It looked like a draw at the Arena Nationala for a long time, but the last set piece ended the Austrians’ impressive run in World Cup qualification. Hanover striker Virgil Ghita was the match winner in Bucharest with his perfectly placed header. With the three points, Mircea Lucescu’s team can continue to dream of the 2026 World Cup, while the favored Austrians were punished late for their unimaginative performance.
The hosts had the first big chance of the game. Valentin Mihaila tried an overhead kick after a nice ball relay from the Romanians. The ball narrowly missed goalkeeper Alexander Schlager’s goal. For a long time, the favored guests found it very difficult to create real chances from the amount of possession they had. The home team’s physical game seemed to pay off, as after 45 minutes the Rangnick team had zero shots on goal.
Austria is lucky: Romania only hits the post
In the second half, the almost 40,000 people in Bucharest hardly saw any chances to score. The Romanian team repeatedly made pinpricks in the transition game without becoming particularly dangerous. Striker Mihaila became dangerous again in the 60th minute. The 25-year-old slipped a little while shooting and therefore only hit the post. Austria remained offensive offensively and was able to thank Schlager again ten minutes later.
The RB Salzburg goalkeeper was able to iron out a mistake by substitute Florian Grillitsch and cleared the Romanians’ shot for a corner. Nothing happened for a long time in the final phase, so it looked like a goalless draw – until the 94th minute. Hannover’s Virgil Ghita headed a cross from Ianis Hagi, no chance for the previously strong hitter.
Romania has a chance of making it to the World Cup playoffs
After the 10-0 win against San Marino on the previous matchday, Austria experienced a bitter setback in their 40th international match under Rangnick. While Team Austria remains in first place in the table and is losing ground, Romania has slipped to within three points of second place. On November 15th the two teams will meet in a direct duel in Zenica. Austria is a guest in Cyprus.