Austria was there for the first time in 28 years
The former Bundesliga striker took Rangnick’s team to the World Cup
November 18, 2025 – 22:46Reading time: 1 minute.
Until the final phase, Austria was left behind against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Direct World Cup qualifying will be lost. Then Rangnick’s Joker attacks.
Thanks to the “Joker”: Michael Gregoritsch ensured Austria’s participation in the 2026 World Cup. The former Bundesliga professional’s goal (78th) saved team boss Ralf Rangnick’s team from a 1-1 (0-1) draw in the heated “final” against pursuers Bosnia-Herzegovina and thus achieved victory in Group H. For Austria, this is the first participation since 1998, the Bosnian team was able to advance through the play-offs.
Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Haris Tabakovic (12th) gave the visitors the lead at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium. Shortly before the break, Portuguese referee João Pinheiro drew the equalizer (43′): previous goalscorer Konrad Laimer of FC Bayern lightly pushed his opponent Amar Memic in his own half.
The hosts played a power play in the second half, and Gregoritsch, who came on as a substitute in the 59th minute, sent Marcel Sabitzer’s cross into the net which bounced over the crossbar. Shortly before the match ended, a former SC Freiburg professional player, among others, who now plays for Bröndby IF in Denmark, even scored the winning goal.
Austria entered the final match with a two-point lead over former Bundesliga professional Sergej Barbarez’s team. Bosnia is now fighting to participate in its second World Cup play-off round since 2014, where 16 teams will play the remaining four of Europe’s 16 participants in March. The drawing will be held on Thursday.
