Turkey’s Merih Demiral shone with a goal in each half and goalkeeper Mert Gunok made a crucial stoppage-time save, securing a thrilling 2-1 victory over Austria on Tuesday to advance to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.The man-of-the-match, Demiral, scored just 57 seconds in and added a powerful header just before the hour mark.
This set up a quarter-final clash on Saturday in Berlin against the Netherlands, who defeated Romania 3-0 earlier the same day. Austria’s Michael Gregoritsch reduced the deficit midway through the second half, but their hopes of equalizing were dashed in the final seconds when Christoph Baumgartner’s header was brilliantly saved by Gunok. Celebrations erupted across several German cities as Turkish fans took to the streets, honking car horns, waving flags, and chanting in anticipation of a potential repeat of their Euro 2008 semi-final run.
For Austria, considered dark horses of the tournament, it was a bitter exit, as they are still waiting for their first knockout match win in a major tournament since 1954.
How the match unfolded
Turkey grabbed the lead in a frenetic start when Demiral capitalised on a goalmouth scramble following a corner, scoring the fastest goal in Euros knockout stage history. Despite ceding possession to Austria, who had defeated them 6-1 in a friendly in March, Turkey pressed high and aimed to catch their opponents on the break, disrupting Austria’s typical playing style.
Even without their suspended captain Hakan Calhanoglou, Turkey managed to keep Austria at bay in the first half, with Ralf Rangnick’s team failing to register a shot on target. Austria intensified their efforts after the break, and captain Marko Arnautovic should have equalized six minutes into the second half, but Gunok blocked his one-on-one attempt.
Instead, Turkey extended their lead with Demiral’s second goal, a powerful header from another corner delivered by the impressive teenager Arda Guler in the 59th minute. In pouring rain, Austria pulled one back through substitute Gregoritsch in the 66th minute and amassed 20 attempts on goal as they sought an equaliser.
Baumgartner seemed to have secured it with his stoppage-time header, but Gunok’s stunning one-handed save preserved Turkey’s narrow lead and ensured their progression to the last eight.