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AUSTRIA proved themselves to be the World Cup's comeback kings by snatching an injury-time equaliser for the second successive game.
After Toni Polster's late goal against Cameroon had given the Austrians a point last week, substitute Ivica Vastic broke Chilean hearts with a superb strike in Saint Etienne.
Marcelo Salas' third goal of the tournament, scrambled home in the 70th minute, looked to have set Chile up for their first victory, but they reckoned without Austria's refusal to give in. Deep into injury time, Vastic created room for himself on the edge of the box and curled a shot into the far corner. For Chile, who had been forced to settle for a draw against the Italians after leading 2-1, Vastic's late strike brought more frustration.
Austria had been defensive and lacking in any genuine spark for much of the match and it looked only time before Chile would seize the initiative. When the breakthrough came it was in the form of a controversial strike from Salas. His strike partner Ivan Zamorano rose to power in a header that Michael Konsel saved superbly. But the ball dropped in the six-yard box and Salas stabbed it back towards the net. Konsel again saved on the line but as he fell he looked to carry the ball inches over the line. Egyptian referee Gamal Ghandour looked to his Spanish linesman for confirmation, and awarded the goal.
That really should have been the end of the Austrians but they refused to give in. Late in the match, Konsel made a superb save when Zamorano broke clear, and that effort from the Roma keeper proved absolutely crucial. Because soon after, Vastic turned on the edge of the box to fire in his last-ditch drive, high into the top corner with Nelson Tapia motionless.
Chile had largely dominated the first half but only a Zamorano header that dropped wide of a post threatened to break the deadlock.
The second period was much the same, although Austria did push forward more in support of Polster, making his 93rd international appearance-equalling Austria's record. But Chile will be kicking themselves for wasting so much possession and the running and effort of Salas.
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CHILE STUNNED BY VASTIC
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SUBSTITUTE Ivica Vastic's goal was a cruel blow for the Chileans, who were denied victory over Italy in their first match by Roberto Baggio's late and controversial penalty equaliser.
"It was exactly the same thing as happened against Italy," said Chilean coach Nelson Acosta. "We are suffering. I really cannot understand what happened.
"We completely dominated the match. We scored a magnificent goal and there were only seconds left. Ivica was left alone. He was allowed to turn, he shot and that was the end of it."
Relieved Austrian coach Herbert Prohaska denied his team had been fortunate. "Over the 90 minutes it was quite balanced," he said.
Midfielder Harald Cerny insisted: "The timing of the goal may have been lucky, but it was no miracle."
FOOTBALL365 SAYS: So Austria, the team which seem to be trying to match Frank Sinatra in the comeback stakes, have done it again, snatching a last-gasp equaliser when they appeared to be heading for a well-deserved defeat.
Sadly, time eventually ran out for Ol' Blue Eyes, and you do rather expect that it'll run out for the Ol' White Shirts when they come up against Cesare Maldini's Italian side next week. This is a very average Austrian side - probably the worst European side competing in the finals - so surely they can't repeat their Lazarus trick a third time. Can they?
THE MATCH STATS
Chile (0) 1 Austria (0) 1
CHILE: Tapia (6), Fuentes (7), Rojas (8), Margas (7), Reyes (6), Parraguez (6), Acuna (6), Villarroel (6) (Castaneda (6) 67), Estay (7) (Sierra (7) 57), Zamorano (6), Salas (7).
Subs Not Used: Marcelo Ramirez, Tejas, Miguel Ramirez, Aros, Musrri, Vega, Cornejo, Neira, Barrera.
Booked: Villarroel, Estay, Salas, Zamorano.
Goals: Salas 70.
AUSTRIA: Konsel (7), Schottel (6), Pfeffer (6), Feiersinger (6), Pfeifenberger (5), Kuhbauer (6) (Herzog (6) 45), Mahlich (7), Wetl (6), Cerny (6) (Schopp (6) 45), Polster (6), Haas (6) (Vastic (7) 74).
Subs Not Used: Wohlfahrt, Knaller, Kogler, Hiden, Reinmayr, Stoger, Heraf, Amerhauser.
Booked: Schottel.
Goals: Vastic 90.
Att: 30,392 (crowd rating: 7)
Ref: G Ghandour (Egypt) 6.
THE TALE OF THE TURF
| Team Name | | Chile | Austria
| | Goals | | 1 | 1
| | Shots On Target | | 5 | 3
| | Shots Off Target | | 6 | 2
| | Blocked Shots | | 0 | 3
| | Corners | | 3 | 2
| | Fouls Conceded | | 14 | 26
| | Offsides | | 6 | 2
| | Red Cards | | 0 | 0
| | Yellow Cards | | 4 | 1
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News 3 
