Austria turns game around after 0-2 deficit in Dublin, Ralf Rangnick
At the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the Austrian football team under head coach Ralf Rangnick turned a 0‑2 half‑time deficit into a 2‑2 draw against the Republic of Ireland and remained unbeaten in the UEFA Nations League. Both goals for the visitors were scored by Troy Parrott, while Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch provided the equaliser.
In the first half the Austrian defence gave a lackluster performance. Troy Parrott dribbled in the twelfth minute past almost the entire defence and scored the first goal, before he extended the lead to 0‑2 just before the break with a penalty (45'). Both conceded goals were preceded by hair‑raising mistakes in the ÖFB defence.
The Austrians did create chances, but only in the last twenty minutes did the game turn. Alexander Prass struck powerfully against the crossbar in the 71st minute, before Michael Gregoritsch scored the equaliser in the 77th minute from a free kick, after goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher missed the ball. The goal came after a precise pass from Patrick Wimmer.
Group standing and unbeaten run
With the draw Austria remains unbeaten in the UEFA Nations League and leads Group B3 at the half‑time with seven points, three points ahead of Kosovo, which is 0‑0 against Israel, as well as ahead of Ireland. The result continues to give the team the chance of promotion to the A‑League.
In the next Nations League round, the away match against Kosovo takes place on Sunday, broadcast live at 18:00 on ORF 1. In November the home match against Ireland follows, as well as the away match against Israel, where the final promotion will be decided.
Atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium
The Aviva Stadium offered not only a stadium jewel, but also a charged atmosphere. Protests against Israel's policies led to interruptions during which tennis balls with Palestinian flags were thrown onto the pitch, and the World Cup invention of the “Hydration Break” was used.
Rangnick had to switch to a system with six defenders due to injuries. In attack Carney Chukwuemeka earned his starting‑lineup debut, while Sasa Kalajdzic took up the striker role and unleashed a long‑range shot.
The Irish hosts displayed beautiful combination football in the twelfth minute, when Parrott, after a pass, left Philipp Lienhart standing, David Affengruber escaped and finally hit the 2.05‑metre‑tall goalkeeper Florian Wiegele over the legs.
After the break Rangnick introduced three fresh players, including Konrad Laimer, who made his first appearance since the World Cup, and Michael Gregoritsch. Shortly afterwards a VAR intervention confirmed Prass’s goal, which had initially been disallowed for alleged offside.