Two-goal win not enough for Austria against Malmö

FK Austria Wien fulfilled their side of the bargain by beating already eliminated Malmö FF but bowed out of the competition after AZ Alkmaar secured the point they needed at FC Metalist Kharkiv to reach the last 32 on goal difference.

In order to qualify Austria needed to secure a sizeable victory and hope that AZ, two points ahead of them before kick-off, failed to claim maximum plunder at Group G winners Metalist. Michael Liendl and Nacer Barazite were on target for Austria in the second half but the hosts came up four goals short.

Austria started in a positive fashion but it was the visitors who had the first meaningful attempt of the match, Daniel Andersson's shot from distance stinging the palms of Heinz Lindner. Tidy and comfortable in possession, the hosts began to dominate and almost forged ahead inside 20 minutes but Roland Linz was unable to get decisive contact on Zlatko Junuzović's cross-shot.

Moments later, Linz's deflected effort had Johan Dahlin scrambling but with neither side able to find an incisive pass in the final third it remained goalless at the break. Austria improved in the second half and it did not take long for Linz to bring the best out of Dahlin. The Austrian international headed Florien Klein's cross towards goal only for Dahlin to save instinctively.

Finally, Karl Daxbacher's side got the goal their second-half display deserved. Liendl collected the loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired in a low shot which deflected off Mathias Ranégie for Austria's 300th goal in UEFA competition. Nacer Barazite doubled the advantage ten minutes from time, latching onto Junuzović's delightful flick and finishing between Dahlin's legs.