Euro 2024: Austria stuns the Netherlands and tops Group D against France

CNN
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Austria achieved a stunning 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in the 2024 European Championship, qualifying for the round of 16 in the competition, topping Group D after France tied with Poland 1-1.

This is the first time in its history that Austria has topped its group in the European Championship, while the Netherlands reserved its place in the round of 16 as one of the four best teams that ranked third.

Donyiel Malen’s own goal gave Austria the lead they deserved after just six minutes, but Cody Jacobo equalized two minutes into the second half.

Romano Schmid’s header restored the lead for Ralf Rangnick’s men after just 12 minutes, however orange It bounced back thanks to Memphis Depay’s brilliant finish.

However, Austria were relentless and eventually scored the winner when Marcel Sabitzer broke through the Dutch defense and scored smartly high into the roof of the goal with just 10 minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, France took the lead over Poland 10 minutes into the second half Kylian MbappePenalty kick – the French star’s first goal in the European Championship.

Poland had the opportunity to equalize from a penalty kick 10 minutes before the end after a VAR review, but Robert Lewandowski saved the penalty kick, which was saved by Mike Maignan.

However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened again and ruled that Maignan had moved clear of his goal line, allowing the Barcelona striker to score at the second attempt.

The draw means France enters what is widely considered the most difficult half of the knockout stage, alongside Spain, Germany and Portugal.

The Netherlands were not convincing in their first two matches in the group stage, winning 2-1 late against Poland and drawing 0-0 with France.

After narrowly losing 1-0 to France in the opening match, a much-improved Austria overcame Poland with their high intensity and pace in the second match, and did so again against the Netherlands in the opening minutes of Tuesday’s match.

Austria were rewarded for their bright start with a goal after just five minutes when Dutch winger Malen turned the ball into his own net as he tried to cut out Marko Arnautovic’s cross.

Rangnick’s men were extremely dominant in the first 20 minutes, with the fans starting early on with chants of “Olé” every time the team passed the ball.

It was a pleasant afternoon in the Berlin sun for the Austrian fans, but not so for Malen.

The Dortmund striker wasted a great chance to make up for his own goal but shot wide of the post when he fired a clean shot at the goal.

Arnautovic could have doubled Austria’s lead ten minutes before the end of the first half when Sabitzer’s cross reached his foot, but the Inter Milan striker failed to even touch the ball.

Austria seems to have been badly shocked orange He was surprised by his quick start and easy passing of the ball for long periods.

Everything coach Ronald Koeman, who looked frustrated throughout the first period, said to his players at the break had the desired effect.

The Netherlands started the second half as a completely different team and the score was tied just moments after the restart, with Jacopo brilliantly finishing off a powerful counter-attack, cutting in on his right foot and curling the ball into the far corner.

But the Dutch joy was short-lived – 12 minutes to be exact – as Schmid headed home Florian Grillitsch’s cross to restore Austria’s lead.

Koeman opted to field super sub player Wout Weghorst, who saved the team orange With a late win over Poland and also with an equalizer against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup.

His presence had an almost immediate impact, as he headed the ball over to Depay, who received the ball brilliantly on his thigh and torso before brilliantly shooting it past goalkeeper Patrick Bentz.

But once again the Dutch replaced joy with despair, this time after just five minutes. The entire Dutch defense allowed Austria captain Sabitzer to roam freely into the penalty area and fire the ball over Bart Verbruggen.

After the huge win, the entire Austria team and staff lined up shoulder to shoulder in front of thousands of fans inside the Olympic Stadium, sharing the historic moment together.

But while the Austrians will be in peak form heading into the knockout stages, Koeman and his Dutch team have a lot of questions to answer.