The flags of Austria and Jordan are displayed on the pitch at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium before the national anthems are played before Austria’s 3-1 win over Jordan on Tuesday JUN 16, 2026. (Marko Ukalovic-Sports Radio Service)
by Marko Ukalovic
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Austria scored two goals in the second half as they defeated Jordan 3-1 in Group J play of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday evening at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Austria drew first blood in the 20th minute. Xavier Schlager found Romano Schmid just outside the box. Schmid dribbled toward the right before launching a right-footed blast into the upper right corner of the net for his first goal of the tournament.
Jordan had its best chance to score the equalizer in the 34th minute. Ali Olwan received the ball down the right wing and fired a shot from inside the box only to have Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager stoned him away. The rebound attempt by striker Mousa Al-Tamari was blocked by Davia Alaba and cleared out of danger for the Austrians.
Austria controlled the possession in the first half by a two-thirds to one-third margin. Jordan did register three shots on target with just one by Austria in the opening 45 minutes.
Jordan finally tallied the equalizer early in the second half. A giveaway by Austria led to Noor Al Deen Mahmoud Ali Al Rawabdeh finding Olwan along the left wing. Olwan streaked down into the middle before firing a shot around Philipp Leinhart and off the right post into the back of the net in the 50th minute for Jordan’s first goal in a World Cup match.
A controversial review erased a goal by Austria after a corner kick was pinballed inside the box and was kicked in by Marko Arnautovic in 71st minute. As Austria celebrated what they thought was the go-ahead goal, Jordan argued that there was a handball by Stefan Posch. After a video review it was determined Posch’s arm touched the ball and the goal was wiped away.
The Austrians regained the lead in the 76th minute when they received a fortuitous bounce off a set piece. Marcel Sabitzer’s corner kick into the middle of the box went off the back of Yazan Mousa Mahmoud Al Arab for an own goal.
Austria was awarded a penalty in the 11th minute of stoppage of time when after a VAR review determined Saleem Obaid intentionally put his hand on a shot from Arnautovic inside the box. Arnautovic converted the penalty for his first goal of the tournament and iced the game for Austria.
GAME NOTES: The paid attendance was 68,527, 300 seats shy of a sellout.
UP NEXT: Austria plays Argentina on Monday June 22nd at Dallas Stadium. Jordan plays Algeria also on the 22nd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
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