Austria made it two wins from two in Group 3 of UEFA Nations League B after a 3-1 win over Kosovo at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna.
Ralf Rangnick’s side won by the same scoreline against Israel in Thursday’s opener but required two additional time goals from Phillipp Mwene and Sasa Kalajdzic.
There was no such drama this time as they eased past a Kosovo side that had proved too strong for the Republic of Ireland in their own opening fixture.
In the first ever meeting between the two nations, the visitors nearly hit the front in the opening minutes through their dangerman Vedat Muriqi, but the Fenerbahce man scooped over when he looked certain to score after the ball fell kindly to him in the box.
Kosovo were made to pay when Austria hit the front 23 minutes in.
Romano Schmid’s free-kick into the box was met by the head of David Affengruber, his looping effort leaving Arijanet Muric flat-footed in what was his first goal for his country – awarded after a VAR check for offside.
Austria doubled their advantage in the final play of the first half as Hoffenheim’s Patrick Wimmer was played through on goal and he unselfishly squared for Junior Adamu for an easy finish.
Muriqi continued to cause issues for the Austrian defence and was denied from close range by Christian Zawieschitzky, but Carney Chukwuemeka made it 3-0 just minutes after being introduced to seal the points for the home outfit.
Wanner’s low cross into the box was spilled by Muric and Chukwuemeka scrambled home from close range, smartly prodding to the net as he lost his balance.
With nine minutes remaining, Affengruber conceded a penalty for a hefty challenge in the penalty area on Kosovo midfielder Valmir Matoshi.
With Muriqi – the regular Kosovo penalty taker – substituted, Edon Zhegrova took over and finished cooly, but it proved merely a consolation for the visiting side.
The Republic of Ireland will welcome Austria to Aviva Stadium on Thursday for the third round of group games.