A moment of world-class quality from David Alaba earned Austria the breakthrough they had toiled so hard to find against North Macedonia on Sunday, sending Franco Foda’s side on their way to a first-ever European Championship win.

Alaba’s cross from the left-wing curled invitingly behind the Macedonian defence and left substitute Michael Gregoritsch with a simple finish.

It came 78 minutes into a scrappy, hard-fought and often fiery encounter with the lowest-ranked team at Euro 2020, who were making their major tournament debut.

Austria eventually got a third in the 90th minute through Marko Arnautovic, but Foda’s side had to dig deep for the three points and questions will undoubtedly now be raised again about Alaba’s best role.

The 28-year-old, who recently joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after 13 trophy-laden years with Bayern Munich, is renowned for his versatility.

Even so, it came as something of a surprise to see Austria’s star player line up in the centre of a back three for their opening game.

It was up to Marcel Sabitzer to provide the craft necessary to break down the resilient debutants early on.

The playmaker showed some frustration inside the opening 15 minutes, throwing his arms in the air at the lack of options in front of him, but it was the RB Leipzig man’s wonderful delivery that led to Stefan Lainer’s volleyed opener.

But a calamitous defensive mix-up handed North Macedonia their historic first major tournament goal through 37-year-old Goran Pandev, putting the impetus back on Austria to unlock the defence once more.

As Sabitzer’s influence waned and the game reached the final 15 minutes, Alaba took matters into his own hands and began to venture forward more.

He did not need long to make an impact - his moment of magic was produced with 12 minutes remaining and ultimately won the game for Foda’s side.

It was a clear sign of Alaba’s ability to threaten in the final third, an area of the pitch he was the furthest from of all Austria’s outfield players for most of the game.

The brilliant assist may well lead to calls for him to be deployed in midfield for their remaining Group C games against Ukraine and the Netherlands.

Questions over Alaba’s role aside, there were many positives for Austria.

Foda’s side had one win in six games and had not scored for over 300 minutes leading up to the tournament.

Therefore, registering their first Euros victory and scoring three times in the process will relieve some pressure as they aim for a place in the last-16.

A moment of world-class quality from David Alaba earned Austria the breakthrough they had toiled so hard to find against North Macedonia on Sunday, sending Franco Foda’s side on their way to a first-ever European Championship win.

A moment of world-class quality from David Alaba earned Austria the breakthrough they had toiled so hard to find against North Macedonia on Sunday, sending Franco Foda’s side on their way to a first-ever European Championship win. Alaba’s cross from the left-wing curled invitingly behind the Macedonian defence and left substitute Michael Gregoritsch with a simple finish. It came 78 minutes into a scrappy, hard-fought and often fiery encounter with the lowest-ranked team at Euro 2020, who were making their major tournament debut. Austria eventually got a third in the 90th minute through Marko Arnautovic, but Foda’s side had to dig deep for the three points and questions will undoubtedly now be raised again about Alaba’s best role. The 28-year-old, who recently joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after 13 trophy-laden years with Bayern Munich, is renowned for his versatility. Even so, it came as something of a surprise to see Austria’s star player line up in the centre of a back three for their opening game. It was up to Marcel Sabitzer to provide the craft necessary to break down the resilient debutants early on. The playmaker showed some frustration inside the opening 15 minutes, throwing his arms in the air at the lack of options in front of him, but it was the RB Leipzig man’s wonderful delivery that led to Stefan Lainer’s volleyed opener. But a calamitous defensive mix-up handed North Macedonia their historic first major tournament goal through 37-year-old Goran Pandev, putting the impetus back on Austria to unlock the defence once more. As Sabitzer’s influence waned and the game reached the final 15 minutes, Alaba took matters into his own hands and began to venture forward more. He did not need long to make an impact - his moment of magic was produced with 12 minutes remaining and ultimately won the game for Foda’s side. It was a clear sign of Alaba’s ability to threaten in the final third, an area of the pitch he was the furthest from of all Austria’s outfield players for most of the game. The brilliant assist may well lead to calls for him to be deployed in midfield for their remaining Group C games against Ukraine and the Netherlands. Questions over Alaba’s role aside, there were many positives for Austria. Foda’s side had one win in six games and had not scored for over 300 minutes leading up to the tournament. Therefore, registering their first Euros victory and scoring three times in the process will relieve some pressure as they aim for a place in the last-16.

Football: David Alaba quality bails out Austria but raises questions about his best role

Late goals from substitutes Michael Gregoritsch and Marko Arnautovic gave Austria a convincing 3-1 victory over European Championship debutants North Macedonia in their opening Group C clash on Sunday as they earned their first tournament victory in 31 years.

Gregoritsch prodded home David Alaba's cross in the 78th minute before Arnautovic struck in the 89th, as Austria earned the first win at the Euros at their seventh attempt and their first victory at a major tournament since the 1990 World Cup.

"We deserved to win today," Austria coach Franco Foda said. "The players made history today. You could feel from the first minute that they wanted to win it."

"The substitutions had an effect and brought new impulse. They were important and the team did everything to win it."

"I am very satisfied. We started well and were aggressive. Then they scored through a momentary lapse of concentration from us," Foda said.

"After the break, we wanted to increase our passing speed. We were more mobile. We did it really well."

The Austrians, who started unusually with Alaba in central defence, had possession and circulated the ball well but struggled to break through until Marcel Sabitzer floated a perfectly-timed cross to the far post.

Stefan Lainer latched on to it, leaping into the air to beat keeper Stole Dimitrievski from a tight angle.

The North Macedonians, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, drew level with their first chance of the game 10 minutes later when defender Martin Hinteregger's clearance first bounced off the back of Sabitzer and keeper Daniel Bachmann then let the ball slip for captain Goran Pandev to slot in.

That was his country's first-ever goal in a major tournament and the forward, who has 38 goals in 120 appearances, also became the second-oldest player to score at the Euro, after Austria's Ivica Vastic, who was 38 back in 2008.

Pandev had another chance just past the hour after Boban Nikolov had failed to beat Bachmann as Austria continued to struggle up front and hoped this would not be another missed opportunity.

Foda was forced to switch to a formation with two strikers, bringing on forwards Arnautovic and Gregoritsch and the move paid off and moving Alaba into a midfield role.

Gregoritsch timed his run to perfection to tap in Alaba's cross before keeper Risto Jankov got his hands on the ball.

Arnautovic then pounced on a defensive mistake to round the keeper and seal the Austrians' first tournament win in 31 years.

Austria plays the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, while North Macedonia stay in Bucharest to face Ukraine.

Late goals from substitutes Michael Gregoritsch and Marko Arnautovic gave Austria a convincing 3-1 victory over European Championship debutants North Macedonia in their opening Group C clash on Sunday as they earned their first tournament victory in 31 years.

Late goals from substitutes Michael Gregoritsch and Marko Arnautovic gave Austria a convincing 3-1 victory over European Championship debutants North Macedonia in their opening Group C clash on Sunday as they earned their first tournament victory in 31 years. Gregoritsch prodded home David Alaba's cross in the 78th minute before Arnautovic struck in the 89th, as Austria earned the first win at the Euros at their seventh attempt and their first victory at a major tournament since the 1990 World Cup. "We deserved to win today," Austria coach Franco Foda said. "The players made history today. You could feel from the first minute that they wanted to win it." "The substitutions had an effect and brought new impulse. They were important and the team did everything to win it." "I am very satisfied. We started well and were aggressive. Then they scored through a momentary lapse of concentration from us," Foda said. "After the break, we wanted to increase our passing speed. We were more mobile. We did it really well." The Austrians, who started unusually with Alaba in central defence, had possession and circulated the ball well but struggled to break through until Marcel Sabitzer floated a perfectly-timed cross to the far post. Stefan Lainer latched on to it, leaping into the air to beat keeper Stole Dimitrievski from a tight angle. The North Macedonians, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, drew level with their first chance of the game 10 minutes later when defender Martin Hinteregger's clearance first bounced off the back of Sabitzer and keeper Daniel Bachmann then let the ball slip for captain Goran Pandev to slot in. That was his country's first-ever goal in a major tournament and the forward, who has 38 goals in 120 appearances, also became the second-oldest player to score at the Euro, after Austria's Ivica Vastic, who was 38 back in 2008. Pandev had another chance just past the hour after Boban Nikolov had failed to beat Bachmann as Austria continued to struggle up front and hoped this would not be another missed opportunity. Foda was forced to switch to a formation with two strikers, bringing on forwards Arnautovic and Gregoritsch and the move paid off and moving Alaba into a midfield role. Gregoritsch timed his run to perfection to tap in Alaba's cross before keeper Risto Jankov got his hands on the ball. Arnautovic then pounced on a defensive mistake to round the keeper and seal the Austrians' first tournament win in 31 years. Austria plays the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, while North Macedonia stay in Bucharest to face Ukraine.

Football: Michael Gregoritsch, Marko Arnautovic strike late to end Austria's long wait

michael-gregoritsch

Michael Gregoritsch, News on Michael Gregoritsch, stories on Michael Gregoritsch, articles on Michael Gregoritsch, Michael Gregoritsch stories at Wion, Michael Gregoritsch news, Michael Gregoritsch latest news

michael gregoritsch

Football: David Alaba quality bails out Austria but raises questions about his best role

Football: Michael Gregoritsch, Marko Arnautovic strike late to end Austria's long wait