Euro 2020: Austria 3-1 North Macedonia – Supersubs Michael Gregoritsch and Marko Arnautovic earn win
Austria open Euro 2020 with a 3-1 win over minnows North Macedonia as Marko Arnautovic seals victory after Goran Pandev had pounced on defensive blunder to equalise
Late goals from substitutes Michael Gregoritsch and Marko Arnautovic gave Austria a convincing 3-1 victory over European Championship debutants North Macedonia in an entertaining opening Group C clash on Sunday.
Gregoritsch prodded home David Alaba’s cross in the 78th minute before Arnautovic struck in the 89th, as Austria earned a first win at the Euros at their seventh attempt and their first victory at a major tournament since the 1990 World Cup.
Stefan Lainer put Austria ahead with an acrobatic effort in the 18th minute when he latched on to Marcel Sabitzer’s cross-field pass at the back post, leaping into the air to beat keeper Stole Dimitrievski from a tight angle.
Marko Arnautovic was one of two Austria supersubs that saw them beat North Macedonia 3-1
Austria took the lead when Stefan Leiner slammed home Marcel Sabitzer’s crossfield ball
Goran Pandev, 37, hauled North Macedonia level – 20 years after his international debut
North Macedonia captain Goran Pandev equalised 10 minutes later to bag his team’s first-ever goal at a major tournament after capitalising on a mix-up in the Austrian defence, but it was not to be for the tournament’s lowest-ranked team.
Austria resume their campaign against Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, while North Macedonia stay in Bucharest to face Ukraine.
Michael Gregoritsch regained Austria’s lead by tapping home just minutes after coming on
With North Macedonia pushing for an equaliser, Arnautovic scored on the break to seal the win
Sportsmail’s JEORGE BIRD was on the live blog for Austria 3-1 North Macedonia…
