Ralf Rangnick’s tenure as Austria’s new coach got off to a perfect start when they beat Croatia 3-0 in their opening game of the new Nations League campaign on Friday.

Goals from Marko Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch and Marcel Sabitzer helped Austria move to the top of the League A Group One after Denmark claimed a shock 2-1 away victory against France in the other game.

Austria took the lead against the run of play just before half-time when Arnautovic made a solo run past the defence and took a shot from the edge of the box into the bottom right corner.

Ralf Rangnick beat Croatia 3-0 during his first game as Austria boss having taken over in April

Marko Arnautovic scored the only goal of the first half to give Austria a 1-0 lead at the break 

Substitute Gregoritsch doubled Austria’s lead in the 54th minute on the counter attack with a fine first-touch strike, while Sabitzer made it 3-0 three minutes later.

Midfielder Ivan Perisic, young star defender Josko Gvardiol and defender Sime Vrsaljko were unavailable for coach Zlatko Dalic due to injuries as Croatia suffered their first defeat since the Euro 2020 finals last June.

Austria – who missed out on World Cup qualification – were without David Alaba, who did not travel with the squad after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid last week.

Moldova took second spot in Group One of League D after winning 2-0 against Liechtenstein

Kazakhstan won 2-0 despite registering 10 fewer shots than their opponents Azerbaijan

Latvia mirrored Rangnick’s side with a 3-0 win of their own against Andorra, thanks to a goal in each half from Roberts Uldrikis and an 85th minute penalty from Janis Ikaunieks.

The Latvians climbed to the summit of League D Group One ahead of Moldova on goal difference, who themselves eased to a 2-0 triumph against Liechtenstein.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Abat Aimbetov scored twice in seven minutes to give his side a 2-0 victory against Azerbaijan.

The victors managed to prevail despite 15 shots against their goal and the smaller share of possession.

Slovakia were the other winners in League C Group Three, having beaten Belarus 1-0 to take second place behind Kazakhstan on goal difference.

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