Marko Arnautovic scored four goals as Austria romped to a 10-0 defeat by San Marino in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
Ralf Rangnick’s side went two points clear at the top of Group H and vastly improved their goal difference with a stunning victory at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
Romano Schmid opened the scoring after seven minutes, while Arnautovic got his first of the match just a minute later.
Stefan Posch then played a part in each of the next three goals, setting up Michael Gregoritsch before getting himself a 12th-minute brace. Konrad Laimer also scored on the stroke of half-time to give Austria a six-goal lead at the break.
Arnautovic ensured the hosts started the second half quickly, scoring two minutes after the break, before substitute Nikolaus Wurmbrand also hit the back of the net four minutes after his introduction.
But Arnautovic ensured Austria finished in style as he completed his hat-trick and scored twice more, with just 81 seconds separating his two late goals.
It was a victory that put Austria two points ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina, who were level with Rangnick’s team at the start of the day.
However, after taking a 2-0 lead against Cyprus, thanks to Nikola Katic and an own goal by goalkeeper Neofytos Michael, Bosnia-Herzegovina let the lead slip.
Ioannis Pittas scored a penalty in the 96th minute to equalize for Cyprus after Konstantinos Laifis pulled back a goal in first-half stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Denmark continued its unbeaten start to World Cup qualifying and sit top of Group C above Scotland on goal difference, thanks to a 6-0 win over Belarus.
They were out of sight at half-time, with Victor Froholdt, Rasmus Hojlund, who scored twice, and Patrick Dorgu making it 4-0 before half-time.
Substitute Anders Dreyer, who has impressed for San Diego FC in the MLS this season, then scored a double in the second half to round off a resounding win.
Croatia are also top of Group L after a 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic.
Both teams have 13 points, with Croatia having a superior goal difference, but the visitors had to withstand an early attack from the Czech Republic.
Croatia pushed for a late goal, with Ivan Perisic and Petar Sucic both having late chances, but neither side could find a breakthrough.
Data debriefing: total dominance
San Marino have become accustomed to heavy defeats, but this was their biggest World Cup qualifier to date, with all ten of Austria’s starting outfield players finishing with a goal involvement.
Austria scored a total of 25 shots, the most in qualifying for next year’s tournament, with Arnautovic, who scored six times in this qualifying campaign, accounting for seven of them.
The hosts scored 5.31 expected goals (xG), with 14 shots on target and two attempts hitting the woodwork. San Marino, on the other hand, finished the match with 0.46 xG.
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