Austria beats Slovenia 3-0 with a quick triple-pack

Austria celebrated a successful start to the 2023 European Championship qualifiers.

The ÖFB team deservedly won 3-0 (1-0) against Slovenia in front of 17,500 fans in Klagenfurt on Tuesday evening.

Marko Arnautovic (16th), Michael Gregoritsch (53rd) and Xaver Schlager (54th) scored the goals for Austria.

Goals after a balanced start

After a balanced start, Austria increased the pressure. After a cross from Andreas Ulmer, Arnautovic gave the ÖFB team the lead with a header from close range in the 16th minute.

The guests from Slovenia then tried to respond, but Haris Beganovic's shot missed the goal (22nd).

Shortly before the break, ÖFB goalie Patrick Pentz prevented the equalizer with a strong save against Andraz Sporar (45th).

Triple pack shortly after the break

After the break, Austria came out strong and quickly increased the lead.

Gregoritsch scored with a deflected shot (53rd), Schlager increased just 85 seconds later with a shot into the corner to 3-0.

In the following minutes, Slovenia was no longer able to counter and Austria controlled the game.

Voices after the game:

"It was a successful start. In the end, it was a deserved victory," said ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick.

"We could have lost this game at the beginning of the second half, but then we showed a great reaction," said Arnautovic.

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek was disappointed: "We made too many mistakes. Austria was more clinical and deserved to win."

Austria will play their next European Championship qualifier on Saturday in Baku against Azerbaijan.