Austria vs. Cymru | 2027 European Under-21 Championship – Qualifying competition – Grp9

MATCH SUMMARY

Cymru head coach Matty Jones made three changes to his starting line-up from the heavy defeat against Belgium as George Nevett, Calum Agias and Gabriele Biancheri were all included for what was already a must-win match for the visitors in Linz.

There wasn’t much between the two teams in the early exchanges, and it was Cymru goalkeeper Lewis Benjamin who was first called into action on 12 minutes as a lapse in concentration allowed Austria to counter-attack. Jacob Hödl caused Cymru a few problems on the left but his influence was soon nullified as the visitors grew into the match.

Cymru looked confident in possession as they patiently looked to open Austria’s defence, but the first real chance of the match came at the other end of the field on 24 minutes when Belmin Beganović found himself in plenty of space in the area but could only curl his effort wide of Benjamin’s far post.

Less than a minute later Cymru were ahead as Gabriele Biancheri, making his first start at this level, capitalised on a mistake by defender David Heindl and took the ball past goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth to score his first Cymru U21 goal.

The goal saw Cymru’s confidence increase as they pushed for a second while remaining organised and disciplined in defence. Austria became increasingly frustrated as half-time approached and it was no surprise to see head coach Peter Perchtold make two changes before the restart.

Austria were a different team in the second half and dominated for long periods, despite the best efforts of Cymru to maintain their shape in defence. Kai Edwards played an important role in breaking up play in midfield, but the constant pressure pushed Cymru back to defend deep into their own half.

David Puczka had two chances after the hour mark before Nikolas Sattlberger hit the crossbar. Substitute Moritz Wels came close before Tim Trummer had two great chances in the space of a minute, first shooting wide before seeing his second effort blocked. On 78 minutes, Benjamin made a superb save from Austria captain Samson Baidoo.

It seemed only a matter of time before Austria would find the equaliser, but as they pushed forward in numbers, they became more vulnerable at the other end of the field. As the game went into added time, substitutes Luke Harris and Chris Popov combined and it was Popov who sealed the win with his second goal of the campaign.

Chris Popov yn selio'r fuddugoliaeth i Gymru 💪

Chris Popov seals the three points for @Cymru ⚡ pic.twitter.com/Fl7HzhXaRl

— Sgorio (@sgorio) October 14, 2025

Against the run of play Cymru score a second as two substitutes combine. A superb ball through the Austrian defence from Harris finds Popov in space and he makes no mistake as he lifts the ball over Jungwirth.

Cameron Congreve plays the ball under pressure

Cymru head coach Matty Jones will be concerned about the chances created by Austria

A great save from Benjamin to deny Austria captain Baidoo from equalising from close range. Austria are dominating proceedings.

Again Austria come close, this time through Trummer who has two efforts in the space of a minute. The first wide, the second blocked. Cymru must not let him have a third as they are really hanging on now.

Austria are creating all the chances now as substitute Wels comes close but fires his effort wide from close range.

A defensive lapse from Cymru as Puczka is allowed to shoot from the edge of the area but he pulls his effort wide.

Puczka tries his luck from a free-kick for Austria but Benjamin comfortably collects. The home side are certainly getting frustrated now that we have passed the hour mark here in Linz.

Kai Andrews in possession

HALF-TIME VERDICT

An impressive opening half performance from Cymru and a great reaction from Matty Jones’ side to Friday’s heavy defeat to Belgium. Gabriele Biancheri marked his first start at this level with a well-taken goal on 25 minutes as he capitalised on an error from defender David Heindl before rounding goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth to score. Austria had a good chance through Belmin Beganović less than a minute earlier to show the fine margins involved, and Jones will need his side to maintain this high standard in the second half.

A definite swagger to Cymru’s play following that goal and there is a real confidence in this team this evening. A great reaction so far from the defeat against Belgium on Friday night.

Gabriele Biancheri celebrates his opening goal

Biancheri marks his first start for the Cymru U21 side with his first goal for the side. The striker capitalised on a mistake from Heindl and calmly rounded the goalkeeper to put his side ahead.

The first chance of the game falls to Austria but Beganović can only curl his effort well-wide of Benjamin’s post.

Hödl is the clear dangerman for Austria on the left and has already caused a couple of problems for the Cymru defence.

A warning for Cymru as the visitors lose possession and Austria quickly counter-attack. Benjamin was alert to the danger but Cymru cannot afford to to be wasteful with the ball.

An even start to the match with both teams having a share of possession in the opening exchanges. Cymru do seem to have a bit of urgency in their attacking play, which is encouraging.

POST-MATCH REACTION FROM VICTORY IN LINZ

Gabriele Biancheri: “It was a brilliant feeling to come back home with a win and a goal. It was a proud moment to score my first goal at this level. We showed great togetherness and spirit to bounce back.”

Chris Popov: “It was a brilliant win for the lads in what was a tough place to go away, but we dig deep and it was an amazing feeling to get three points and also get my second goal of the campaign”

Cymru celebrate their first qualifying win in Linz.

Cymru celebrate after securing their group win in Linz.

It has been a challenging start to the campaign for Cymru with home defeats against Denmark and Belgium and head coach Matty Jones will be looking for the right reaction from his players this evening. Meanwhile, Austria head into this match on the back of a 1-1 draw with Denmark which arrived following an earlier victory over Belarus and they will be looking to continue their undefeated start in Group I. Belgium host Denmark later this evening in a key match for both teams.

All smiles ahead of kick-off 😀

TEAM NEWS 🇦🇹🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Here is our Cymru line-up to face Austria in Linz this evening.

DIWEDDARIAD CARFAN 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

George Nevett has been called up the U21 squad ahead of tonight’s game, replacing the suspended Ed James .

DIWRNOD Y GÊM 🇦🇹🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Continuing our #U21EURO qualifying campaign in Linz 👊

MD-1 ✅

Cymru completed their final training session at Donauparkstadion on Monday afternoon, finalising preparations ahead of their first away EURO qualifier against Austria.

MEET THE OFFICIALS

Patryk Gryckiewicz will take charge of Cymru’s clash against Austria on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old referee from Poland is a regular official across European competitions, having officiated in the UEFA Youth League, UEFA Conference League, Poland’s top division (Ekstraklasa), and more.
He will be assisted by fellow Poles Bartosz Kaszyński and Marcin Boniek, with Paweł Raczkowski serving as the fourth official.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Austria hold the upper hand in this fixture, winning two of the three encounters over the years. The last time the two sides met was back in September 2022, with Cymru falling to a 2-0 defeat in Vienna.

Final session before heading to Linz ✈️🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/KFj2HSNbxL

— Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) October 12, 2025

SQUAD ANNOUCEMENT

Matty Jones has announced his 23-player Cymru squad for the upcoming UEFA U21 EURO 2027 qualifiers against Belgium and Austria in Group I.

Following their opening defeat to Denmark at Rodney Parade earlier in September, Jones’ side will be looking to bounce back as they continue their qualifying campaign in a competitive five-team group that also includes Belarus.

There are welcome returns for Lewys Benjamin and Archie Harris, who rejoin the squad for the first time since May after injury, while Cardiff City’s uncapped Dakarai Mafico is involved.

Charlie Crew and Kai Andrews are also included in the squad, having recently been involved in Craig Bellamy’s senior national team camp during the last international window.