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Austria earned a surprising 3-2 win over the Netherlands at Euro 2024 to qualify for the knockout stage of the competitors prime of Group D after France drew 1-1 with Poland.
It’s the primary time in historical past that Austria has completed prime of its group on the European Championship, whereas the Netherlands additionally guide their place within the final 16 as one of many 4 greatest third-placed groups.
Donyell Malen’s personal aim gave Austria a deserved lead after simply six minutes, just for Cody Gakpo to degree the rating two minutes into the second half.
Romano Schmid’s header restored the lead for Ralf Rangnick’s males simply 12 minutes later, however the Oranje bounced again once more because of Memphis Depay’s good improvised end.
Nevertheless, Austria was relentless and ultimately bought what proved to be the successful aim as Marcel Sabitzer broke via the Dutch protection and completed neatly excessive into the roof of the web simply 10 minutes from time.
France, in the meantime, took the lead over Poland 10 minutes into the second half because of Kylian Mbappé’s penalty – the French celebrity’s first ever European Championship aim.
Poland was given the possibility to equalize with a penalty of its personal 10 minutes from time after a video assistant referee (VAR) evaluation, however Robert Lewandowski noticed his penalty saved by Mike Maignan.
Nevertheless, VAR intervened once more and dominated Maignan had moved off his line, permitting the Barça ahead to attain on the second try.
The draw means France enters what’s broadly thought-about the harder half of the knockout bracket, alongside Spain, Germany and Portugal.
Leon Kuegeler/Reuters
Mbappé put France forward from the penalty spot.
The Netherlands had been unconvincing of their opening two group video games, a late 2-1 win over Poland and a stale 0-0 draw with France.
After narrowly dropping 1-0 to France in its opener, a much-improved Austria overwhelmed Poland with its excessive depth, fast-paced soccer in sport two and did so once more to the Netherlands within the opening minutes of Tuesday’s match.
Austria was rewarded for his or her brilliant begin with a aim after simply 5 minutes when Netherlands winger Malen turned the ball into his personal web as he tried to chop out Marko Arnautović’s cross.
So dominant had Rangnick’s males been within the opening 20 minutes, that followers began early with chants of “Olé” each time the group handed the ball.
It was proving to be an satisfying afternoon within the Berlin solar for Austria followers – much less so for Malen.
The Dortmund ahead squandered an excellent alternative to make amends for his personal aim however scuffed his effort large of the submit when clear via on aim.
Arnautović ought to have doubled Austria’s lead 10 minutes earlier than half-time when Sabitzer’s cross fortuitously ended up at his toes, however the Inter Milan ahead did not even make contact with the ball.
John Macdougall/AFP/Getty Pictures
Gakpo bought the Netherlands off to a quick begin within the second half.
Austria had apparently taken a shellshocked Oranje without warning with its quick begin and was passing the ball round with ease for lengthy durations.
No matter supervisor Ronald Koeman, who seemed annoyed all through the primary interval, mentioned to his gamers on the break had the specified impact.
The Netherlands started the second half like a unique group completely and leveled the scoreline simply moments after the restart as Gakpo brilliantly completed off a blistering counterattack, slicing onto his proper foot and bending the ball into the far nook.
However the Dutch delight was brief lived – 12 minutes to be actual – as Schmid bought on the tip of Florian Grillitsch’s cross with a diving header to revive Austria’s lead.
Koeman opted to convey on super-sub Wout Weghorst, who saved the Oranje with a late winner over Poland and likewise with an equalizer in opposition to Argentina within the 2022 World Cup.
His presence had an virtually instant affect, heading the ball all the way down to Depay who took the ball brilliantly on his thigh and torso earlier than volleying acrobatically previous keeper Patrick Pentz.
Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
Sabitzer celebrates his successful aim.
However once more the Dutch traded pleasure for despair, this time after solely 5 minutes. Your entire Dutch protection allowed Austria captain Sabitzer to roam freely into the field and hearth the ball over Bart Verbruggen.
Following the large win, Austria’s complete squad and backroom employees lined up arm-in-arm in entrance of 1000’s of followers contained in the Olympiastadion, sharing the historic second collectively.
However whereas the Austrians will likely be driving excessive going into the knockout levels, Koeman and his Netherlands group have loads of inquiries to reply.
