Austria – Türkiye: The Turks return to the quarter-finals (1-2)!

Austria and Turkey faced each other on Tuesday evening for a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. In a very open match, it was the Turks who had the last word thanks to a double from Merih Demiral.

A goal and a drop in pace

Things moved very quickly in this last eighth of the Euro. Just after the kick-off, Turkey were awarded a corner, taken by Arda Guler which ended with a goal from Merih Demiral (0-1, 2^e). Austria launched the revolt in the wake with Baumgartner whose shot flew wide of the frame (3^e).

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The pressure eased and it took a long-range attempt from Guler to send new shivers through the supporters even if the Turkish genius did not find the target (19^e). The match still lacked intensity with the Austrians struggling against the Turkish block. Baumgartner had the equaliser at his feet at the end of the first half but missed the target once again (45+1).

Demiral showers Austria

After the break, Austria came back even more dangerous and launched attacks on the Turkish camp. Marko Arnautovic found himself alone in front of Gunok after a nice pass from Konrad Laimer but came up against the Turkish goalkeeper (51^e). Lacking success, the Austrians were punished again by Demiral who scored again on a corner from Guler (0-2, 59^e).

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A few minutes later, Gregoritsch gave Austria hope again by taking advantage of a header from a corner to equalize (1-2, 66^e). Ralf Rangnick’s men insisted in the final minutes but came up against a very good Turkish defense. Turkey resisted until the final whistle and thus secured their ticket to the quarter-finals for the first time since Euro 2008. The Turks will face the Netherlands in the next round next Saturday.