Thanks to the “Joker”: Michael Gregoritsch ensured Austria’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.
The former Bundesliga professional’s goal (78th) saved team boss Ralf Rangnick’s team a 1-1 (0-1) draw in the heated “final” against pursuers Bosnia-Herzegovina and thus victory in Group H.
For Austria it is the first participation since 1998, the Bosnians can move up via the play-offs.
Haris Tabakovic from Borussia Mönchengladbach (12th) gave the guests the lead in Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium. Shortly before the break, Portuguese referee João Pinheiro withdrew the supposed equalizer (43′): goalscorer Konrad Laimer from FC Bayern had previously lightly pushed opponent Amar Memic in his own half.
The hosts played a power play in the second half, and Gregoritsch, who came on as a substitute in the 59th minute, smashed a cross from Marcel Sabitzer into the net that bounced off the crossbar.
Gregoritsch still has the winning goal in hand
Shortly before the end of the game, the former professional from SC Freiburg, among others, who now plays for Bröndby IF in Denmark, even scored the winning goal.
Austria went into the final matchday with a two-point lead over the team of former Bundesliga professional Sergej Barbarez.
Bosnia is now fighting for its second World Cup participation after 2014 in the play-offs, in which 16 teams will play the remaining four of the 16 European participants in March.
The draw takes place on Thursday.