Virgil Ghiță’s 90th-Minute Strike Stuns Austria, Keeps Romania’s World Cup Hopes Alive in Bucharest

BUCHAREST — In a city where football nights are stitched with both hope and trepidation, Romania delivered a dramatic, last-gasp 1-0 victory over Austria at the Arena Naţională on Sunday, a result that not only reverberates across Group H but also infuses new life into Romania’s World Cup qualification campaign.

For 89 minutes, tension hung like a fog over the packed stadium, neither side able to crack the other’s defensive code despite flurries of half-chances and surging runs. Then came the moment Arena Naţională will not soon forget: in the dying embers of stoppage time, center back Virgil Ghiță rose above a crowded penalty area to nod home the only goal, breaking Austria’s resolve and sending the home supporters into euphoria.

A Match Hinged on Patience—and Seized in the Final Breath

The stakes were unmistakable. Austria, perched atop the group standings, rolled into Bucharest brimming with confidence after thrashing San Marino 10-0 just days prior. Their form sheet read like a warning: unbeaten, five straight wins, and a +15 goal difference, powered by talisman Marko Arnautović and the metronomic Marcel Sabitzer. Romania, meanwhile, stood fourth, their campaign marred by inconsistency but buoyed by a recent friendly win over Moldova.

The match opened with both sides probing, Austria’s experienced midfield pressing high but finding Romania’s rearguard, marshaled by Ghiță and the resolute Andrei Burca, difficult to unpick. On the counter, Dennis Man’s pace stretched Austria’s fullbacks, and Ianis Hagi’s vision conjured a handful of early forays, yet the final ball often eluded the Romanians.

Austria’s best chance of the first half came on 38 minutes, when Sabitzer threaded a pass through to Michael Gregoritsch, his shot skimming the base of the post. Romania’s closest brush with a breakthrough saw Louis Munteanu force a sprawling save from Austria’s goalkeeper just after the restart.

Yet as the minutes ticked by, the contest grew cagier. Bookings for persistent fouls—Schmid and Baumgartner both in the referee’s book—showed the rising stakes and the tightening nerves on both sides.

Ghiță Becomes the Hero Romania Needed

It was in the 90th minute that fate turned. Romania, having earned a late corner, pushed numbers forward. Hagi’s delivery was inswinging, the trajectory teasing chaos, and when the ball ricocheted at the near post, Ghiță was quickest to react. His headed finish crashed past the helpless Austrian keeper, the net bulging as the stadium erupted in relief and disbelief.

Austria’s desperate appeals for offside were waved away. In the remaining seconds, a frantic push ensued, but Romania’s defense held.

Why This Night Matters

For Romania, the victory is priceless. Their last five matches had painted a portrait of unpredictability—draws, losses, and narrow wins—with consistency elusive. By felling the group leaders, they not only added three points but also proved they can outfight and outlast the best sides in Europe when it matters most. The result vaults them to 10 points from six qualifiers, closing the gap in a group where every slip is magnified and every late winner shifts destiny.

For Austria, the night represents a jarring halt. Entering the match with a perfect record, their ambitions of running away with the group have now been checked. While still top, their comfortable cushion narrows, and cracks in composure—so evident in their frustrated finish—will invite scrutiny.

Head-to-head, Romania and Austria have traded blows in recent years, but tonight marks a rare and celebrated home win for the Tricolorii—a memory that will stand alongside their proudest nights at the Arena Naţională.

What’s Next

As the dust settles in Bucharest, Romania faces a revitalized path toward qualification. The energy and discipline shown tonight must serve as a template; slip-ups in earlier fixtures mean that every remaining point is vital if they are to book passage to the World Cup.

For Austria, the road remains in their hands, but the margin for error has shrunk. With matches looming against direct rivals, their response to this setback could define not only their campaign but also the group’s eventual shape.

One goal, in one fleeting moment, has redrawn the map of Group H—and, for Romania, restored belief that every World Cup journey is written in moments just like this.