Kalajdzic winner sends Austria up and ends Ireland’s group-title hopes

Austria secured promotion to Nations League A with a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in Linz on Saturday. Substitute Sasa Kalajdzic scored in the 79th minute at the Raiffeisen Arena, ending the visitors' chances of winning Group B3, according to BBC Sport's match report.

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The decisive moment followed an Austrian corner. Michael Gregoritsch headed the delivery back towards goal, and Caoimhin Kelleher could only push the ball towards Kalajdzic, who finished from close range. The result extended Austria's unbeaten home run, which dates back to October 2023.

Both goalkeepers had been busy before the breakthrough. Alexander Schlager saved efforts from Troy Parrott and Ryan Manning, while Kelleher denied Christoph Lang, Kevin Danso and Christoph Baumgartner. Parrott had threatened with an acrobatic attempt from Dara O'Shea's delivery and a shot from distance.

Ireland still had an opportunity to level in the 86th minute, but substitute Chiedozie Ogbene headed Liam Scales' cross straight at Schlager. It was their second away defeat of the group, leaving them third with one fixture remaining.

In comments to RTE reported by BBC Sport, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said his team had done what was asked of them and created enough openings to take something from the match. He felt they deserved at least a draw, while acknowledging that only victory would have kept their bid for first place alive. He also pointed to their failure to deal with the corner that produced Austria's goal, stressing the importance of maintaining concentration.

Ireland's remaining route towards promotion now depends on Tuesday's home meeting with Kosovo. They are a point behind those opponents, and a win in Dublin would secure second place, a promotion play-off and a place in pot two for December's Euro 2028 qualifying draw. Ireland lost 1-0 in Pristina in September. Hallgrimsson said the Kosovo fixture had always carried greater importance, even as he regretted the missed opportunity to keep the group-title contest open in Austria.