The Euro 2024 Round of 16 concludes with an intriguing matchup between Austria and Turkey at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on Tuesday. Both teams enter the knockout stage with momentum, having secured two victories each in their respective group campaigns.
Austria, under the guidance of Ralf Rangnick, has been one of the tournament’s surprise packages. They topped a challenging Group D that included powerhouses France and the Netherlands, showcasing an intense, high-energy style of play that has impressed observers. This performance marks a significant improvement from their Euro 2020 campaign and presents a golden opportunity to reach the quarter-finals of a major tournament.
Turkey, led by Vincenzo Montella, also accumulated six points in the group stage but finished second to Portugal. Despite a 3-0 loss to the Portuguese, Turkey demonstrated their potential in victories over Georgia and Czechia. However, they enter this match as slight underdogs, partly due to a recent friendly encounter with Austria in March, which saw the Austrians dominate in a 6-1 victory.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, with kick-off at 20:00 BST. Portuguese referee Artur Soares Dias will officiate, with Tiago Martins as VAR.
In their last five meetings, Austria and Turkey have each won twice, with one draw. Their most recent encounter, the aforementioned friendly in March 2024, saw Austria’s Michael Gregoritsch score a hat-trick in the 6-1 rout.
Recent form favors Austria slightly. They’ve won three of their last five matches, including impressive victories over the Netherlands and Poland in the group stage. Turkey has also shown good form, with three wins in their last five games, though their heavy loss to Portugal raises questions about their ability against stronger opponents.
As the knockout stages begin, both teams will be eager to continue their tournament progress. Austria’s high-pressing style under Rangnick could pose problems for Turkey, but Montella’s side has shown resilience and attacking flair that could trouble the Austrian defense.
This final Round of 16 match promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams looking to make their mark on Euro 2024. The winner will advance to face formidable opposition in the quarter-finals, adding extra motivation to what is already a high-stakes clash.
