World Cup: Romano Schmid helps Austria to narrow win over Jordan
| Richard Heathcote/Getty Images |
Romano Schmid scored a spectacular goal in Austria's winning start to the 2026 World Cup against debutants Jordan. Including the Werder Bremen midfielder, Ralf Rangnick used ten German Bundesliga players in the game.
Schmid put the favorites ahead from outside the box just before the hydration break. The sought-after player celebrated the goal with RB Leipzig's Christopher Baumgartner, who has decided to follow his rehabilitation process closer to the national team's camp after missing the tournament due to a late injury.
The debutants didn't succumb to the pressure, and Ali Olwan became the first Jordanian to score in the World Cup five minutes after the restart. Austria retook the lead ten minutes after half-time substitute Marko Arnautovic denied a goal by VAR for a handball decision.
Yazan Al-Arab was the unfortunate party when he scored an own-goal from Marcel Sabitzer's corner-kick delivery. Arnautovic had more chances late in the game before winning a 100th minute penalty-kick for a handball decision in his favor. The former Bremen attacker converted the chance with aplomb to extend his lead as Austria's all-time top-scorer.
Austria will face group leaders Argentina in their second game, while Jordan play against Algeria.
