Match report

Austria Defeats Cyprus 1-0 in World Cup Qualification

Austria
Austria
1–0
FT
Cyprus
Cyprus
Sep 6, 2025

Austria emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Cyprus in their World Cup Qualification encounter, thanks to a penalty goal from Marcel Sabitzer. The match was marked by a series of substitutions and a few yellow cards, but Sabitzer's decisive goal in the 54th minute was the turning point that secured Austria's three points.

Key Facts

  • • Austria 1-0 Cyprus
  • • Goal: Marcel Sabitzer (penalty, 54')
  • • Yellow Cards: K. Pileas (23'), L. Loizou (45'), C. Shelis (53'), Stefan Posch (75'), I. Kosti (90+11')
  • • Substitutions: Austria - M. Arnautovic (46'), P. Wimmer (46'), D. Alaba (70'), X. Schlager (70'), F. Grillitsch (90+5'); Cyprus - Ioannis Pittas (67'), M. Tzionis (67'), C. Charalampous (80'), K. Artymatas (88'), G. Kastanos (88')

Lineups

Austria

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 A. Schlager (G)
  • 20 K. Laimer (D)
  • 15 P. Lienhart (D)
  • 8 D. Alaba (D)
  • 16 P. Mwene (D)
  • 6 N. Seiwald (M)
  • 4 X. Schlager (M)
  • 21 P. Wimmer (M)
  • 19 C. Baumgartner (M)
  • 9 M. Sabitzer (M)
  • 7 M. Arnautovic (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 T. Lawal
  • 13 P. Pentz
  • 2 A. Prass
  • 3 K. Danso
  • 5 S. Posch
  • 10 F. Grillitsch
  • 11 M. Gregoritsch
  • 14 L. Querfeld
  • 17 A. Weimann
  • 18 R. Schmid
  • 22 R. Florucz
  • 23 A. Schopf

Cyprus

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 12 Fabiano Freitas (G)
  • 16 A. Shikkis (D)
  • 15 C. Sielis (D)
  • 19 K. Laifis (D)
  • 2 K. Pileas (D)
  • 18 K. Artymatas (M)
  • 20 G. Kastanos (M)
  • 17 L. Loizou (M)
  • 5 C. Charalampous (M)
  • 21 M. Tzionis (M)
  • 9 I. Pittas (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 J. Mall
  • 22 N. Michail
  • 3 N. Panagiotou
  • 4 H. Kyprianou
  • 6 G. Satsias
  • 7 A. Foti
  • 8 I. Kousoulos
  • 10 P. Sotiriou
  • 11 A. Kakoullis
  • 13 I. Kosti
  • 14 G. Malekkidis
  • 23 C. Kyriakou

Timeline

  1. Cyprus
    23' Cyprus Card · Yellow Card
    K. Pileas

    Foul

  2. Cyprus
    45' Cyprus Card · Yellow Card
    L. Loizou

    Foul

  3. Austria
    46' Austria subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Arnautovic · On: M. Gregoritsch
  4. Austria
    46' Austria subst · Substitution 2
    Off: P. Wimmer · On: R. Schmid
  5. Austria
    52' Austria Var · Penalty confirmed
    C. Baumgartner
  6. Cyprus
    53' Cyprus Card · Yellow Card
    C. Shelis

    Foul

  7. Austria
    54' Austria Goal · Penalty
    M. Sabitzer
  8. Cyprus
    67' Cyprus subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Ioannis Pittas · On: P. Sotiriou
  9. Cyprus
    67' Cyprus subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Tzionis · On: I. Kosti
  10. Austria
    70' Austria subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Alaba · On: K. Danso
  11. Austria
    70' Austria subst · Substitution 4
    Off: X. Schlager · On: Stefan Posch
  12. Austria
    75' Austria Card · Yellow Card
    Stefan Posch

    Foul

  13. Cyprus
    80' Cyprus subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Charalampous · On: A. Kakoullis
  14. Cyprus
    88' Cyprus subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. Artymatas · On: Ioannis Kousoulos
  15. Cyprus
    88' Cyprus subst · Substitution 5
    Off: G. Kastanos · On: C. Kyriakou
  16. Austria
    90'+5 Austria subst · Substitution 5
    Off: C. Baumgartner · On: F. Grillitsch
  17. Cyprus
    90'+11 Cyprus Card · Yellow Card
    I. Kosti

    Argument

Match Stats

Stat Austria Cyprus
Fouls 14 6
Pass Accuracy 84% 63%
Offsides 4 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 16
Corners 7 3
Total Passes 514 213
Yellow Cards 1 4
Blocked Shots 1 6
Shots on Target 3 5
xG 2.04 1.66
Shots off Target 6 5
Possession 71% 29%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 431 134
Shots Inside Box 9 11
Saves 4 2
Shots Outside Box 1 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The match's momentum shifted in Austria's favor when the referee awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute following a VAR review, leading to Marcel Sabitzer converting the spot kick and breaking the deadlock.
  • ▸ Multiple substitutions by both teams, particularly Cyprus, in the second half aimed to change the game's direction, but Austria's defensive solidity and the early lead ensured the result remained in their favor.