UEFA Nations League: Austria freezes Kazakhstan

ÖFB team celebrates round-off victory - early qualification for finals tournament

Baumgartlinger and Co. secure top spot in Group 3 thanks to a 3-0 win

The Austrian national football team has taken a big step towards qualifying for the finals of the UEFA Nations League on Sunday evening. In Vienna, the ÖFB selection celebrated a deserved 3-0 (2-0) victory over Kazakhstan and secured top spot in Group 3 of League B with one round of matches to spare. Goals from Christoph Baumgartlinger (23rd), Michael Gregoritsch (34th) and Ercan Kara (90th) secured the round-off victory for Franco Foda's team.

Austria thus remains unbeaten in the current Nations League season with three wins and two draws. The victory was particularly important in the duel with Norway, who were playing in Oslo at the same time (6pm) against Northern Ireland. The Norwegians lost 2-1 and thus no longer have a chance of overtaking Austria. Kazakhstan, on the other hand, is relegated to League C after five defeats in five games.

Whether the ÖFB team will be in the second group of the Nations League in the coming year will only be decided in the final round of matches on Tuesday. Austria will then play in Norway. If they win, they will be certain to finish top of the group. If they lose, the decision could go right down to goal difference. The best group winners from each league will qualify for the Nations League finals tournament, where they will be joined by the hosts of the finals, the Netherlands. The draw for the semi-finals and final will take place in Amsterdam on 22nd January 2023.