James McClean break sends Ireland top on perfect night in Vienna
After Germany and Italy, it was Austria’s turn to be favourites cut down to size by the supposed underdogs, with James McClean confirming his growing reputation as an Irish goal-getter by scoring a superb winner in the Ernst-Happel Stadion.
That devastating counter-attacking goal was the decisive moment in a tenacious and energetic second-half display by the visitors, after they had played second fiddle for long stretches in a scrappy first 45, during which the Austrians had come closest to breaking the deadlock when, with the otherwise assured Darren Randolph beaten for the only time on the night, the crossbar came to his rescue to deny Marcel Sabitzer what would have been a cool, clipped finish.
