Good news for all Marko Arnautovic fans: The 36-year-old ÖFB star has celebrated his comeback! After his painful injury in the Europa League – he limped off the field screaming in pain – the Viennese was now back on the pitch for Red Star Belgrade.
World Cup qualification in Romania (0:1) – the scores of the ÖFB stars
And just in time for the showdown at the 2026 World Cup: Austria’s last two qualifying games are scheduled for November. First the mandatory win in Cyprus (November 15th), then the expected final for the direct ticket against Bosnia (November 18th).
In the 1-1 home draw against Radnik Surdulica, Arnautovic was allowed to start right from the start. After an hour his working day was over: in the 63rd minute he was replaced by Duarte – seconds later Red Star conceded the equalizer. Katai (51st) had previously given the clearly superior hosts the lead.
The draw doesn’t change anything at the top of the table: Red Star remains just ahead of rivals Partizan Belgrade, which surprisingly lost 4-1 to Cukaricki on Saturday.
This ends a period of suffering for Arnautovic that had frightened many fans: in the Europa League match against Braga, the veteran lay in pain in the 37th minute, holding his thigh, screaming – and had to be supported from the pitch. He later left the stadium on crutches. A serious injury was to be feared.
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