Seven goals provided an entertaining night of football between Israel and Austria, but this was a particularly meaningful night for the locals.
When Israel and Austria face off, it’s always a match to watch out for. The Israelis remember their last meeting well. In the qualifiers for Euro 2020, they thrashed Austria 4-2, with an Eran Zahavi hat-trick. Israel’s only win after that came against the group’s lowest-ranked side, Latvia.
Israel against Austria is more than just that one win however. It was Israel's first match after joining UEFA in 1992, a 5-2 defeat in Vienna. Moving forward, the Israelis will never forget that 5-0 win over ‘Das Team’ in the qualifiers for Euro 2000, or Austria’s late equaliser in 2001, , which earned them a playoff berth for the 2002 World Cup. Everything was set for a show in Haifa.
First Half
There was tension before the match. In May, one of Israel’s key players, Munas Dabbur, posted online about the clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli police at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Dabbur posted a photo of the mosque on Instagram, writing: "May God pay for the oppressors." Some Israeli fans called him a traitor, alleging he referred to the police and soldiers as ‘oppressors’. They called to ban him, and every touch was followed by shouting and booing.
But this didn't last long, the Israeli fans had better things to do. Manor Solomon scored the first for the Blue and Whites in the 5th minute. Fifteen minutes later, the shouts were less dominant as Dabbur scored the second. For a short moment, you could feel those shouting and booing at him so vigorously, coming to understand that he is on their side.
Eran Zahavi added another, his 30th international goal, but just before half time the visitors pulled one back via Christoph Baumgartner. Austria got a bit closer, but Israel led comfortably 3-1.
🇮🇱⚽️ Solomon
— European Qualifiers (@EURO2020) September 4, 2021
🇮🇱⚽️ Dabbur #WCQ pic.twitter.com/7TatiBy1lM
Second Half
At the start of the second half, the Austrians pressed forward, looking to score again. A Marko Arnautović strike did just that, clawing the game back to 3-2 just before the hour . Israel manager Willi Ruttensteiner had to react quickly. Dabbur, this time with more fans cheering him, was replaced by Shon Weissman. Both are familiar with Austrian football, having been top scorers in the Austrian Bundesliga in the past.
And it was the right decision. A long range Weissman’s shot five minutes later gave the Israelis an advantage. In the 90th minute, the mission was completed. Zahavi popped up with another goal to make it 5-2.
For Israel, it was more than just a win, it was a sensational victory that could be important in the race for the top two places, and qualification. But the real win was for the fans. The people who came to shout ended the night cheering.
Without bad feeling, Israelis have been united again by their national team, at least for the next couple of days.
🇮🇱🆚🇦🇹 = 🤯
— European Qualifiers (@EURO2020) September 4, 2021
⚽️⏰ 5' Solomon
⚽️⏰ 20' Dabbur
⚽️⏰ 33' Zahavi
⚽️⏰ 42' Baumgartner
⚽️⏰ 55' Arnautović
⚽️⏰ 59' Weissman
⚽️⏰ 90' Zahavi #WCQ pic.twitter.com/WzdrK2pJtx
Photo via Eitan Dotan and the Israeli Football Association
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