Austria v North Macedonia: What the stats say ahead Euro 2020 showdown
This is the first encounter between Austria and North Macedonia at a major tournament (World Cup and Euros).
Their only two previous meetings took place in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, with Austria winning both by a 6-2 aggregate scoreline (4-1 away, 2-1 home).
Whilst this is North Macedonia’s first ever appearance at a major tournament (World Cup and Euros), Austria are taking part in their third UEFA European Championship, although it’s only the second time they have reached the finals via the qualification process (2016 and 2020, hosts in 2008).
Including the play-off rounds, North Macedonia won each of their final three games in Euro 2020 qualifying – as many as they had won in their previous nine games of the qualifying campaign before this (D2 L4).
Austria have yet to reach the knockout stages or even win a single game at the UEFA European Championships (D2 L4) – in fact, no team has played more games in the tournament (6) without winning one.
Austria have won only one of their last 15 games at major tournaments (D5 L9 – World Cups and Euros), a 2-1 victory against USA in the group phase of the 1990 World Cup.
Austria have scored only two goals in their six games at the European Championship finals; one of them was a penalty (Ivica Vastic vs Poland, Euro 2008). They have never been ahead at any point in those six games.
Austria last reached the knockout stages of a major tournament at the 1954 World Cup, finishing third. In their last 15 games at major tournaments (World Cup and Euros), they have won only one game (2-1 vs USA, World Cup 1990) and kept one clean sheet (0-0 vs Portugal, Euro 2016).
North Macedonia’s 1.25 goals scored per game during Euro 2020 qualifiers (15 in 12 games) was the joint-lowest average of any team to have qualified for the finals, alongside Wales.
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Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic was directly involved in seven goals in his eight appearances during the Euro 2020 qualifiers (six goals, one assist).
Including the play-off rounds, Eljif Elmas was directly involved in more Euro 2020 qualifying goals than any other player for North Macedonia (5 – 4 goals, 1 assist).