Unfortunate Nations League Debut
Austria vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 (League B)
11 September 2018
The ÖFB team played their first official UEFA Nations League match in 2018 away against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The encounter at Stadion Bilino Polje was also head coach Franco Foda's first competitive fixture. However, the Austrians will not look back on the evening too fondly. Following a strike from Bosnian legend Edin Dzeko, Austria succumbed to a 0-1 defeat in their premiere in the new competition.
The ÖFB eleven celebrated their first-ever Nations League victory on matchday two in front of their home supporters. Marko Arnautovic scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win against Northern Ireland.
Senior Debut for Christoph Baumgartner
Austria vs. Norway 2-1 (League B)
4 September 2020
A 21-year-old Christoph Baumgartner made his senior debut for the Austrian national team in September 2020. Austria won the match away to Norway 2-1 courtesy of goals from Michael Gregoritsch and Marcel Sabitzer. The consolation goal for the hosts was scored by a certain Erling Haaland.
Baumgartner was named in the starting lineup under then-head coach Franco Foda and played the entire 90 minutes. Baumgartner has since racked up 58 appearances for the national side and established himself as one of its key players.
Last-Minute Promotion to League A
Austria vs. Norway 1-1 (League B)
18 November 2020
In an Ernst-Happel-Stadion left empty due to COVID-19 restrictions, Austria achieved something historic. After four wins and just one defeat, the ÖFB side held pole position heading into the final matchday of Nations League Group B1 against Norway.
The visitors took the lead through Ghayas Zahid, threatening to dash Austrian hopes. But in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Adrian Grbic finally struck the dramatic 1-1 equalizer, firing Austria into the top tier of the Nations League for the very first time.
Rangnick Triumphs in ÖFB Debut
Austria vs. Croatia 3-0 (League A)
3 June 2022
Austria's first match in League A also marked Ralf Rangnick's debut as head coach of the national team. The German enjoyed a sensational start away to Croatia, with the ÖFB team cruising to a 3-0 victory courtesy of goals from Marko Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch, and Marcel Sabitzer.
However, it would remain their only victory of that Nations League campaign. A 1-1 draw against France in Vienna was another respectable result for the Austrians. When ORF presenter Rainer Pariasek congratulated Rangnick on the draw against the reigning world champions, he was given an early glimpse of the new manager's character: "I don't think there's anything to congratulate us on," Rangnick said in what has now become his trademark analytically strict manner, after his team had squandered a 1-0 lead.
Finishing on four points, the ÖFB side narrowly missed out on survival and were relegated back to League B.
Arnautovic Becomes Austria's Outright Caps Record Holder
Austria vs. Croatia 1-3 (League B)
25 September 2022
In June 2022, Austrian attacking talisman Marko Arnautovic reached the 100-cap milestone. In the clash against Denmark (1-2), he became only the third player at the time to achieve the feat.
Three and a half months later, Arnautovic sealed his legendary status. In a 1-3 defeat to Croatia, "Arnie" earned his 104th cap, surpassing Andreas Herzog to become Austria's all-time leading appearance maker. In total, the 37-year-old has represented Austria 137 times.
Rampant Austria Celebrate Biggest Nations League Win
Austria vs. Norway 5-1 (League B)
13 October 2024
Austria registered their biggest-ever Nations League victory in October 2024 at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz. Once again, the opponents were Norway. Rangnick's side turned on the style, thrashing the visitors from the north 5-1. Marko Arnautovic bagged a brace that night, with Philipp Lienhart and Stefan Posch extending the advantage before Michael Gregoritsch capped off the rout at 5-1.
Norway's Alexander Sorloth had briefly leveled the score. However, the ÖFB team ultimately missed out on promotion to League A following a draw with Slovenia and a defeat in the playoffs against Serbia.
Promotion Within Touching Distance
Following the highs and lows of recent years, the national team now has the chance to write a new chapter in their Nations League story. With a win against Ireland on Saturday, Austria can secure promotion to League A and rejoin Europe's elite.
