Turkiye faced Austria in the final Round of 16 clash of the UEFA Euro 2024. Group F runners-up Turkiye got off to a great start as they led inside one minute after the game began. They had more chances in the first half but could not take them and had to resort to falling back in order to protect their slender advantage.
Mehir Demiral of Turkiye struck the second-fastest goal throughout the history of the European Championships on Wednesday in his team's round of 16 match against Austria, doing it in 57 seconds. A Turkiye corner was improperly cleared off by the Austrian defense and keeper Patrick Pentz in the first minute of play, allowing Demiral to shoot the ball into the back of the net.
How did the second half of the game between Austria and Turkey pan out?
In the second half, both the teams looked fresh and were looking to get the next goal. However, it was once again Merih Demiral who headed the ball home from an Arda Guler corner during the 59th minute of the game in the Red Bull Arena. He leaped above everyone and nodded the ball from near post and gave a healthy lead to Türkiye.
It was now or never for Austria and needed a goal as soon as possible to have a slim chance of qualification into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Euro 2024. They got their reward for their attacking intent as another goal went into the back of the net from the corner. In the 66th minute, Michael Gregoritsch netted at the far post as he found a loose ball and restored some hope into the Austrian camp.
The side led by Ralf Ragnick was under pressure to score another goal and keep their tournament alive. They were able to create some great chances but were not clinical when it mattered the most. In the end, Austria have been knocked out of the UEFA Euro 2024 as Turkiye march on and would now face the 1988 Euros winners Netherlands on Saturday.
Fans react as Turkiye edge past Austria in an enthralling encounter in UEFA Euro 2024: -
/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/image 59.png)
Follow Us/sportsinfo/media/media_files/lyKd3qSaQ9IR9TNa3oTt.png)