Euro 2024: Austria’s miracle! It’s first ahead of France and the Netherlands
Euro 2024: miracle of Austria! It's first ahead of France and the Netherlands
Crazy feat of Austria, which beats the Netherlands in the third match of Group D of Euro 2024 and bypasses not only the Oranje, but also the disappointing France blocked by a draw against Poland. Rangnick’s team thus qualifies for the round of 16 from first place, ahead of France and the Netherlands, both of which qualified second and third, respectively. Eliminated is Poland.
France-Poland 1-1
56' Mbappé (F), 79' Lewandowski (P)
First half dominated by France, not very concrete under goal. Skorupski performs miracles in series and keeps the Polish goal immaculate: the Bologna goalkeeper saves his own on 10' on Theo Hernandez’s conclusion, then on Mbappé with two decisive interventions. Before halftime è careful on Dembelé s free kick. France all ahead in the second half, the duel between Skorupski and Mbappé is renewed several times, but at 55' the Polish goalkeeper has to capitulate: Kiwior knocks down Dembelé in the box, and from the penalty spot the newly appointed Real Madrid striker finally manages to get past the Polish defender, who was preferred to Szczesny.
The transalpines tried on several occasions to double the score, Mbappé on 75' got hypnotized again by Skorupski. At 76' the twist: Poland earns a penalty for Upamecano's foul on Swiderski. From the penalty spot, Maignan parries Lewandowski's penalty but referee Guida makes him repeat because the French goalkeeper is not on the goal line: the Polish striker does not miss this time. France poured forward in search of 2-1 but the result did not change anymore: the Gallettos’ lead è vanished.
Holland-Austria 2-3
aut.Malen (O), Gakpo (O), Schmidt (A), 75' Depay (O), 81' Sabitzer (A)
Horror start for the Netherlands, which dazed by the tactical arrangement of Rangnick’s team struggles to get into the game and immediately concedes a goal from the Austrians. On 6' Malen trying to intercept a Prass goal pierced his own goalkeeper. The disadvantage gave a wake-up call to the Oranje, who came close to equalizing with Reijnders but then still suffered from the Austrians’ ball possession. Before halftime Arnautovic has a great chance to double but he svirrages wasting the chance. Koeman, furious, inserted Xavi Simons at 36' for Veerman trying to shake up his side.
Spectacular second half: the Netherlands starts very charged up and finds the equalizer with Gakpo, a splendid shot on the turn after being triggered by Gakpo. The match becomes a seesaw: Austria at 60'takes the lead again with a diving header by Schmidt on Grillitsch’s assist, at 75'the Netherlands retaliates again by finding the 2-2 with Depay, control in the area with his body and shot at the cross of the posts.
In the final, Koeman’s team is again betrayed by the defense, and in particular by its captain Van Dijk: the Liverpool defender misses the move and keeps Sabitzer in the game, who with a violent shot brings the Austrian selection back ahead at 81'81;. Austria takes the three points and the incredible lead in the group.
