Merih Demiral scored twice as Turkey beat Austria 2-1 in Leipzig to reach the quarter-finals against the Netherlands at Euro 2024 – but it took a wonderful stop from Mert Gunok in added time.
Austria had taken the lead within the first ten minutes of their last two games, but now they were the victims of a corner kick from young prodigy Arda Guler, who took a corner that goalkeeper Patrick Pentz could not deflect and Demiral scored.
The goal came in just 57 seconds, making it the fastest goal in European Championship knockout history. Ralf Rangnick’s Austria were highly anticipated, not least because of their 6-1 win over Turkey in March, but their opponents rose to the challenge.
Austria were caught off guard in the first minute as they trailed against Turkey thanks to a goal from Merih Demiral.
Austria’s Marko Arnautovic squandered a great chance to equalise against Turkey
Marko Arnautovic wasted a great chance to equalise by failing to lift the ball over the keeper and Austria never managed to equalise. Demiral headed in a superb corner from Guler just before the hour mark, which gave Turkey complete control of the game.
Substitute Michael Gregoritsch capitalised on a back pass to reduce the deficit and set up a dramatic finish, but Turkish goalkeeper Gunok made the save of the tournament to deny Christoph Baumgartner in the dying moments of a thrilling match.
Gunok was Turkey’s hero with this extraordinary save
Guler Corners | Gunok Stop
The challenge for Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella was to find some fluidity in the absence of their suspended playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu and, to his great credit, he managed to find a solution with the help of supreme quality at both ends of the pitch.
Demiral celebrates his goal after just 57 seconds against Austria
Demiral was voted the best player of the match but owed his two goals to a sensational strike from 19-year-old Guler. His corners were too good for Austria and were crucial in Turkey’s victory in the game. Gunok had to come through.
Austria sent many crosses into the penalty area late in the game, but the last one was the most decisive. In the 94th minute, Baumgartner did everything right, hitting hard and low to the goalkeeper’s right. Gunok was up to the challenge.
Statistics: The story of the match
Rangnick: Difficult to score with Gordon Banks in goal!
The boss of Austria Ralf Rangnick “We didn’t have the luck we needed and I think if the game had gone to extra time we would have won. We had time to equalise but it’s difficult when they have Gordon Banks in goal!”
“We didn’t take enough advantage of our own chances and we didn’t defend their set pieces well enough.
“The four games we’ve played have been very entertaining, including today’s. Not everything went to plan, but they were four very entertaining and intense games. Now we need to build on that for the Nations League and then for World Cup qualifying.”
