Deflections help Austria to first win over French in 38 years

Published on Sunday 7 September 2008 01:28

AUSTRIA started their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup in style with a shock 3-1 victory over France in Group 7 last night.

Marc Janko deflected a long-range free kick by Andreas Ivanschitz to open the scoring on eight minutes and Rene Aufhauser deflected another set piece by Ivanschitz to make it 2-0 shortly before the break.

France winger Sidney Govou reduced the arrears from six yards just after the hour, but France could not escape their first defeat by Austria in 38 years.

Ivanschitz sealed Austria’s victory with a penalty on 72 minutes after Janko had been brought down in the box by defender Philippe Mexes.

Meanwhile, Italy needed an injury-time goal from Antonio Di Natale to secure three points against Cyprus in Larnaca. Di Natale put the visitors ahead after eight minutes but Efstathios Aloneftis equalised on 29 minutes.

David Villa earned European champions Spain a 1-0 victory over Bosnia. The Valencia striker missed a first-half penalty but made amends in the 58th minute when he rounded the goal