Austria's women beat Kosovo 4-0 in Vienna

The Austrian women's national team won the second leg of the first World Cup playoff round in Vienna on Tuesday with a clear 4-0 against Kosovo, securing their place in the final round.

Match progress and goal scorers

At the Wiener Sport-Club ground, the goals were scored by the prolific Marie Höbinger, captain Sarah Puntigam and Virginia Kirchberger-Prohaska, each with a header, as well as Eileen Campbell with a tap‑in. The first leg in Prishtina had already been decided at 2-1 for Austria, making the aggregate score 6-1.

Line‑up and tactical changes

Coach Lars Söndergaard made four changes compared with the first leg: in goal Jasmin Pal started instead of Mariella El Sherif, who was sidelined with a hand injury. The 17‑year‑old Valentina Pötzl made her starting‑XI debut on the wing, replacing Verena Hanshaw. In midfield Sarah Zadrazil and Nicole Billa started, while Barbara Dunst and Eileen Campbell remained on the bench initially.

Söndergaard again employed a 3‑4‑3 formation. The defence consisted of Jennifer Klein, Kirchberger-Prohaska and Sarah Gutmann. On the flanks Louise Schöffel played opposite Pötzl, while captain Puntigam directed the midfield. In attack Höbinger and Annabel Schasching completed the forward line.

Kosovo lined up Modesta Uka as the striker from the start, but defended with two lines in front of the penalty area. Austria dominated from the outset, with early shots from Schöffel and Zadrazil narrowly missing the goal.

ÖFB women close in on World Cup ticket after convincing 4-0 win over Kosovo

In the seventh minute Billa headed the ball to Höbinger, whose shot was saved by the superb goalkeeper Lea Kramoviku. Shortly after, Billa headed a lofted ball to make it 1-0, which was already the score after seven minutes.

After 17 minutes Söndergaard had to make the first substitution because Schasching was injured; Dunst came on for her. Despite further chances from Billa, Gutmann and Schöffel, the Austrian dominance remained unchanged, and the team went into the halftime break with a deserved 1-0 lead.

The second half produced few dangerous situations for Kosovo. Austria's attacks, including a flick from Höbinger in the 40th minute, were largely wasted, while the defence remained solid. At the end of the match the score was unchanged, and the ÖFB XI celebrated the well‑deserved victory.

"I even think we could have played better than today," said coach Lars Söndergaard after the match on ORF. "In the end we fortunately brought more composure into the game and therefore also created more chances and goals. The promotion feels good."