Football
Group Stage 2016
AUT 
1
FT
 MNE
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PA Sport 9y

Austria 1-0 Montenegro

Austria moved clear at the top of the Group G standings in Euro 2016 qualifying as they edged out Montenegro 1-0 at home.

Rubin Okotie's first-half strike was all that separated the teams on the night in Vienna, but it was enough to send Austria two points clear with Russia being held by Moldova in Moscow.

While victory by a single goal hardly looked convincing, Austria dominated possession and were worthy winners against a team level on points with them before kick-off.

Austria wasted little time in setting about attacking the Montenegro goal, with Martin Harnik and Marko Arnautovic going close in the opening stages.

They left some gaps for Montenegro to use on the counter, but Fatos Beqiraj failed to capitalise before Mirko Vucinic sent an ambitious effort wide from long range.

Austria continued to threaten, with Okotie's header forcing a fine save from Vukasin Poleksic before David Alaba's drilled effort was diverted wide and Christian Fuchs had a shot charged down.

The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Arnautovic crossed for Okotie to finish from close range.

The immediate impact was a loss of momentum for the hosts as Montenegro had opportunities to level quickly, only for Simon Vukcevic to fire wide and Vucinic to fluff his lines from close range.

Austria recovered their poise before the break, but Zlatko Junuzovic's shot was saved before Martin Hinteregger blazed over.

Stevan Jovetic, who did not start after recent injury troubles, came on for Montenegro at the break, but it was Austria who went close to doubling their lead five minutes after the restart when Harnik's header found the crossbar.

Hinterseer then fired wide from close range before seeing a volleyed effort saved, with Montenegro struggling to muster much of a response.

Jovetic's first effort on goal did not come until the 82nd minute, and was then swiftly charged down by Marko Simic.

Soon after, Vucinic's effort was tipped around the post by Robert Almer and Austria safely saw the game out - with Harnik close to adding a second as the game was moving into stoppage time.

ends

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