Austria's emphatic 2-0 victory over Cyprus in World Cup qualifying demonstrated the visitors' superiority across all phases. Marko Arnautovic struck twice to secure the win, capitalising on Austria's dominant control; the away side possessed the ball for 63 per cent and generated 2.18 xG from twelve shots, six of which tested the Cyprus goalkeeper. The hosts, operating in a 4-1-4-1 shape, offered limited attacking threat with just four shots and 0.39 xG, managing no efforts on target despite their goalkeeper making five saves from six shots faced at a 66.67 per cent save rate. Austria's 4-2-3-1 setup proved sufficiently compact to nullify Cyprus's limited forays forward, with their goalkeeper facing minimal genuine danger. The result underscores Austria's credentials as qualification favourites in their group.