By In a thrilling Euro 2024 Round of 16 match, Turkey secured a 2-1 victory against Austria at the Red Bull Arena, booking their place in the quarter-finals where they will face the Netherlands. The hero of the night was Merih Demiral, whose sensational brace proved decisive in this high-stakes encounter.
Turkey wasted no time in making their mark, with Demiral scoring the fastest goal in European Championship knockout stage history. Just 57 seconds into the match, he smashed a left-footed shot into the roof of the net following a corner from Arder Guler. This early goal set the tone for an intense and dramatic match.
The first half ended with Turkey holding onto their slim 1-0 lead, but the second half brought more excitement as rain began to pour down at the Red Bull Arena. Demiral doubled Turkey’s advantage in the 59th minute, again from a corner, rising above the Austrian defense to head in another Guler delivery.
Austria, managed by Ralf Rangnick, refused to go down without a fight. Michael Gregoritsch pulled a goal back for the Austrians in the 66th minute, tapping in Stefan Posch’s header from a set-piece. This set up a tense finale, with Austria pushing hard for an equalizer.
The match reached its climax in the dying moments when Turkish goalkeeper Mert Gunok made a spectacular save to deny Austria a last-minute equalizer, palming the ball away from his goal line in a moment of brilliance.
Turkey’s victory, orchestrated by manager Vincenzo Montella, was a testament to their defensive solidity and efficiency from set-pieces. Demiral’s performance will be remembered as one of the standout individual displays of the tournament so far.
For Austria and Ralf Rangnick, the defeat marks the end of their Euro 2024 journey. Despite a valiant effort, particularly in the second half, they were unable to overcome Turkey’s early advantage and resolute defending.
As Turkey prepare to face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, they will take confidence from this hard-fought victory. Their ability to score early and defend a lead will be crucial as they progress deeper into the tournament.
This match exemplified the unpredictable and exciting nature of knockout football in major tournaments. Turkey’s triumph serves as a reminder that in Euro 2024, any team is capable of producing a memorable performance and advancing to the latter stages.
