MATCH REPORT: AUSTRIA 3-1 NORTH MACEDONIA

Photo credit: Daniel Mihăilescu (Reuters)

Austria secured a 3-1 victory over North Macedonia to head to the top of Group C at Euro 2020.

In a match they were expected to comfortably win, Austria were given a scare when Stefan Lainer’s 18^th minute strike was cancelled out 10 minutes later by Goran Pandev.

It took until the 78^th minute for Michael Gregoritsch to restore his side’s lead and Marko Arnautovic sealed the three points in the closing stages.

Debutants in the tournament North Macedonia thought they’d secured a point when record goalscorer and appearance maker Pandev capitalised on a defensive mix-up to equalise after Lainer had fired his side in front.

However their resistance was broken when the Augsburg forward converted David Alaba’s cross before talisman Arnautovic rounded the keeper and put the game beyond on any doubt.

Frank Foda’s side will be relieved to have gained the three points after being frustrated by their opponents for much of the game but know they will need to play better to make it out of a tricky group.

Meanwhile, as the lowest-ranked side in the competition, the Lions will take heart from holding off Austria for so long and look ahead to their next encounter with Ukraine on their conquest to cause a major upset.