World Cup qualifier suspended after sinkhole opens up on pitch

Play was brought to a standstill during Austria’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus after a sinkhole suddenly appeared on the pitch late in the second half.

The bizarre incident occurred around the 75th minute, when Danish referee Jakob Kehlet halted the match after noticing the gaping hole near Austria keeper Alexander Schlager’s box at the Raiffeisen Arena, in Linz.

The opening was wide enough to swallow an entire football, prompting ground staff to rush on with buckets of sand in a frantic attempt to patch it up.

After more than seven minutes of repairs, Kehlet finally gave the green light to resume, with Austria eventually sealing a 1-0 win thanks to Marcel Sabitzer’s second-half penalty – scored before the ground gave way.

A section of the pitch has literally collapsed in the game between Austria & Cyprus. The ground staff are running up and down with buckets of soil trying to sort the situation. Can’t remember seeing anything like it! pic.twitter.com/OECrF5jiGk

The win means Austria are now second in Group H qualifying, having won all three of their games so far, behind also unbeaten Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Remarkably, this isn’t the first time Austrian football has flirted with the earth caving in. Back in 2022, a Nations League clash against Denmark, which Austria lost 2-1, at the Ernst Happel Stadium was also interrupted by a huge sinkhole opening up on the pitch.

At least this time Austria still managed to dig out the three points – though maybe someone in should be calling a geologist before the next fixture.

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