Not to be for Northern Ireland tonight but they probably won't mind too much if they win their next game at Windsor Park - the play-off final against Slovakia on 12 November. Win that one and they are on their way to Euro 2020!
As for the Nations League, they are back in action again on Wednesday when they face group leaders Norway.
Northern Ireland remain winless in the Uefa Nations League (D1 L6),
suffering four defeats in four games in the competition on home soil.
No team have won more away games than Austria in the Uefa Nations League
(three), with Franco Foda’s side picking up a victory in all but one of their
four away games so far (0-1 v Bosnia in September 2018).
Northern Ireland have now gone five consecutive games without keeping a
clean sheet - their longest run without one since November 2013 (also a run of
five).
Northern Ireland’s first and only shot on target in this game came in
the 68th minute, through a header from Jonny Evans.
Michael Gregoritsch has been directly involved in three goals in his
last four appearances for Austria, scoring twice and providing one assist.
'NI just couldn't keep the ball'
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster
Quote Message: There was only one team that was going to win the game and it was Austria. Boyce had a great chance to equalise but it wasn't to be. Northern Ireland just couldn't keep the ball for long enough tonight. It is difficult to go through the intense battle in Sarajevo and play three days later. This Austria side are much better than Bosnia.
There was only one team that was going to win the game and it was Austria. Boyce had a great chance to equalise but it wasn't to be. Northern Ireland just couldn't keep the ball for long enough tonight. It is difficult to go through the intense battle in Sarajevo and play three days later. This Austria side are much better than Bosnia.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Northern Ireland's wait for a Nations League win goes on but it was always going to be tough against a good Austria side.
The result means Northern Ireland remain bottom of their group with one point from three games.
FULL-TIME
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
That was the chance for Northern Ireland as the whistle goes for full time. It is victory for Austria and, on the balance of the 90 minutes, a deserved win for the visitors.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
CHANCE!
A quick free kick is played to Liam Boyce, who turns the defence but flashes a shot centimetres wide of the far post.
That was so, so close.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
It actually feels like the addition of more attackers has slowed Northern Ireland's momentum. They've not really troubled the Austria defence since and we are into now or never territory as the game enters the first of four additional minutes.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Jonny Evans gets across just in time to take the ball from Christoph Baumgartner's feet just as the Austria forward was readying himself for a shot just outside the box.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Conor Washington scampers after Stefan Lainer before the Austria man launches the ball up the pitch and away from danger.
The hosts then get their second yellow of the game for a frustrated late tackle by Jordan Thompson.
Time is running out for Northern Ireland.
SUBSTITUTION
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
A final double change for Northern Ireland as Josh Magennis and Liam Boyce go on for Gavin Whyte and Paddy McNair.
Last throw of the dice as the hosts stick everything up top and get ready to go direct!
'Game is dying out'
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster
Quote Message: The game is starting to dwindle off into nothing. The Austrians seems to be happy enough with how things are going and Northern Ireland just can't get anything going at all. NI can't get the ball.
The game is starting to dwindle off into nothing. The Austrians seems to be happy enough with how things are going and Northern Ireland just can't get anything going at all. NI can't get the ball.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
A change in attack for Austria as goalscorer Michael Gregoritsch is replaced by Adrian Grbic.
Ten minutes to go.
YELLOW CARD
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
The first yellow card of the game goes Northern Ireland's way as Conor McLaughlin is penalised for a late challenge on Christoph Baumgartner.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Just under 15 minutes to go and it feels like a point is really there for Northern Ireland.
The hosts just need to take a few more risks in the final third but their overall play has been much better in this half.
SUBSTITUTION
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Ian Baraclough is determined to regain the momentum for Northern Ireland and sends on more fresh legs in Jordan Thompson and Corry Evans.
They replace Stuart Dallas and Steven Davis.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
A bit of defending for Northern Ireland to do at the moment as Austria enjoy their best spell of possession in this half. The ball is worked out wide to Stefan Lainer, who passes the ball behind the defence and to the far post but there's no team-mate there to prod in.
CLOSE!
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Paddy McNair sends the corner to the far post. He's looking for Jonny Evans but he is beaten to the ball by a defender.
McNair picks up the ball again 30 yards from goal and again aims for Evans, who this time does connect but puts his effort straight at Pavao Pervan in the Austria goal.
Much better, though!
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Aleksandar Dragovic is OK to continue and we're back in action.
It has been all Northern Ireland so far in this half they are just missing that bit of magic in the final third.
They have got a corner now, though.
Poor show from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park
There was always a risk of this match having an 'after the Lord Mayor's show' feel about it, given the drama and euphoria against Bosnia.
That said, it is hard to remember even a single shot from Northern Ireland and we have played almost 65 minutes.
Conor Washington has come on for Kyle Lafferty up front and will likely offer more movement up there, but it's a goal threat that NI need.
Or the Nations League points tally will soon read one from seven games. Not great.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
A break in play because Aleksandar Dragovic needs treatment. He's holding the side of his face so perhaps got caught in a clash as Austria tried to break just now.
Live Reporting
Gary Rose
All times stated are UK
-
Northern Ireland remain winless in the Uefa Nations League (D1 L6),
suffering four defeats in four games in the competition on home soil.
-
No team have won more away games than Austria in the Uefa Nations League
(three), with Franco Foda’s side picking up a victory in all but one of their
four away games so far (0-1 v Bosnia in September 2018).
-
Northern Ireland have now gone five consecutive games without keeping a
clean sheet - their longest run without one since November 2013 (also a run of
five).
-
Northern Ireland’s first and only shot on target in this game came in
the 68th minute, through a header from Jonny Evans.
-
Michael Gregoritsch has been directly involved in three goals in his
last four appearances for Austria, scoring twice and providing one assist.
Latest PostPost update
Not to be for Northern Ireland tonight but they probably won't mind too much if they win their next game at Windsor Park - the play-off final against Slovakia on 12 November. Win that one and they are on their way to Euro 2020!
As for the Nations League, they are back in action again on Wednesday when they face group leaders Norway.
That's all from us. You can check out Mark Sterling's report on tonight's game here.
Post-match stats
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
'NI just couldn't keep the ball'
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Northern Ireland's wait for a Nations League win goes on but it was always going to be tough against a good Austria side.
The result means Northern Ireland remain bottom of their group with one point from three games.
FULL-TIME
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
That was the chance for Northern Ireland as the whistle goes for full time. It is victory for Austria and, on the balance of the 90 minutes, a deserved win for the visitors.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
CHANCE!
A quick free kick is played to Liam Boyce, who turns the defence but flashes a shot centimetres wide of the far post.
That was so, so close.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
It actually feels like the addition of more attackers has slowed Northern Ireland's momentum. They've not really troubled the Austria defence since and we are into now or never territory as the game enters the first of four additional minutes.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Jonny Evans gets across just in time to take the ball from Christoph Baumgartner's feet just as the Austria forward was readying himself for a shot just outside the box.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Conor Washington scampers after Stefan Lainer before the Austria man launches the ball up the pitch and away from danger.
The hosts then get their second yellow of the game for a frustrated late tackle by Jordan Thompson.
Time is running out for Northern Ireland.
SUBSTITUTION
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
A final double change for Northern Ireland as Josh Magennis and Liam Boyce go on for Gavin Whyte and Paddy McNair.
Last throw of the dice as the hosts stick everything up top and get ready to go direct!
'Game is dying out'
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
A change in attack for Austria as goalscorer Michael Gregoritsch is replaced by Adrian Grbic.
Ten minutes to go.
YELLOW CARD
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
The first yellow card of the game goes Northern Ireland's way as Conor McLaughlin is penalised for a late challenge on Christoph Baumgartner.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Just under 15 minutes to go and it feels like a point is really there for Northern Ireland.
The hosts just need to take a few more risks in the final third but their overall play has been much better in this half.
SUBSTITUTION
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Ian Baraclough is determined to regain the momentum for Northern Ireland and sends on more fresh legs in Jordan Thompson and Corry Evans.
They replace Stuart Dallas and Steven Davis.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
A bit of defending for Northern Ireland to do at the moment as Austria enjoy their best spell of possession in this half. The ball is worked out wide to Stefan Lainer, who passes the ball behind the defence and to the far post but there's no team-mate there to prod in.
CLOSE!
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Paddy McNair sends the corner to the far post. He's looking for Jonny Evans but he is beaten to the ball by a defender.
McNair picks up the ball again 30 yards from goal and again aims for Evans, who this time does connect but puts his effort straight at Pavao Pervan in the Austria goal.
Much better, though!
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Aleksandar Dragovic is OK to continue and we're back in action.
It has been all Northern Ireland so far in this half they are just missing that bit of magic in the final third.
They have got a corner now, though.
Poor show from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park
There was always a risk of this match having an 'after the Lord Mayor's show' feel about it, given the drama and euphoria against Bosnia.
That said, it is hard to remember even a single shot from Northern Ireland and we have played almost 65 minutes.
Conor Washington has come on for Kyle Lafferty up front and will likely offer more movement up there, but it's a goal threat that NI need.
Or the Nations League points tally will soon read one from seven games. Not great.
Post update
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria
A break in play because Aleksandar Dragovic needs treatment. He's holding the side of his face so perhaps got caught in a clash as Austria tried to break just now.