Arnautovic's Austria beaten by Brazil in World Cup warm-up

Marko Arnautovic in action against Brazil in Vienna

 

Marko Arnautovic played the full 90 minutes as Austria were defeated 3-0 by 2018 FIFA World Cup favourites Brazil in Vienna on Sunday.

The West Ham United forward made his 72nd appearance for his country at the sold-out Ernst-Happel Stadion.
However, it was the Brazilians who scored a victory which will send them to Russia on a high, with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Neymar and Philippe Coutinho securing a comfortable victory for the South Americans.

Arnautovic still managed to catch the eye, however, and carried a constant threat in his home city.

In the first half, the 29-year-old was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Tiago Silva, saw a half-volley go just over Alisson’s crossbar, and was also denied by the alert Roma goalkeeper on the stroke of half-time.

Into the second period and Arnautovic was less influential, but he still went close to scoring, firing a rasping 25-yard shot into the side netting with five minutes to play.

Arnautovic had previously helped Austria to impressive victories over World Cup hosts Russia and holders Germany under new manager Franco Foda.

Austria missed out on qualification for the World Cup themselves, finishing fourth in a group that also contained winners Serbia, Republic of Ireland and Wales.

The West Ham star returns to international action in the new season, when Austria host Sweden in a friendly in Vienna on Thursday 6 September.

They then travel to Zenica to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening UEFA Nations League B fixture on Tuesday 11 September.