Arnautovic masterminds Austrian win

Hammer Marko Arnautovic masterminded an Austrian comeback last night for a 3-2 win although his efforts were in vane and Austria won’t be going to the World Cup.

Arnautovic’s 16th international goal gave Austria the lead for the first time at 2-1 after Guido Burgstaller had cancelled out Luka Milivojevic’s opener.

However, there would be one last twist in the final minute as a right-wing cross by substitute Louis Schaub’s curled straight into the far corner beyond Vladamir Stojković. Arnautovic was credited a second goal by the stadium announcer but he failed to connect with the volley, though it clearly distracted the Serbian goalkeeper.

The West Ham winger caused plenty of headaches early on in the game, firstly, he found Florian Kainz unmarked in the box on six minutes but the winger fired straight at Serbian goalkeeper Stojković. Arnautovic then missed a sitter three minutes later by nodding wide from eight yards out.

Arnautovic created the opening goal for Austria too by cutting the ball back from the end-line but the defender raked his shot past the far post with Stojkovic stranded.