Suddenly the top scorer: Demiral takes Türkiye to the quarter-finals
Türkiye win thrilling match against favourites Austria and move into the quarter-finals of the European Championship for the first time since 2008.
The centre-back has become a big figure: Merih Demiral scored both of Türkiye's goals in the 2-1 win over Austria.
Image: Keystone
It should have been a big game for the Austrians. After beating the Netherlands in the group stage, Ralf Rangnick's team started the match against Turkey as favourites. With the best chances of reaching the quarter-finals of the European Championship. But the hopes were ultimately not fulfilled, as Austria lost 2-1 in Leipzig.
Turkey had already taken the lead after 57 seconds; it was the fastest goal ever scored in a European knockout match: Merih Demiral, a centre-back by trade, capitalised on a failed Austrian attempt to clear a corner. As a result, Turkey were the better team. It was only after the break that the Austrians were able to show their quality – before Demiral scored again from a corner to make it 2-0 (59). Surrounded by two Austrians who had not jumped high enough, he headed the ball into the net.
Crazy Parade of Günok
Michael Gregoritsch managed to score the next goal (66), and the Austrians had enough chances to at least equalize. Playing against the whistles of the Turkish fans, all other attacks in the final phase failed.
RB Leipzig's Christoph Baumgartner missed a big chance on his home turf after 94 minutes when Turkish goalkeeper Mert Gunuk turned his close-range header around the post with a stunning save. The save saw the Turks hold on to their lead as the clock ticked down and they now reach the quarter-finals of the European Championship for the first time since 2008. They will face the Netherlands there on Saturday.
Here you will find additional external content. If you agree that cookies are set by external service providers and that personal data is thus transmitted to external service providers, you can allow all cookies and view external content directly.
That's it, the match is over, Türkiye wins 2-1, and Austria is out of the tournament!
Another chance for Turkey. But Yilmaz loses to Bentz. On the other hand, it is Gunok, who made a great save, who can secure this match for the Turks.
The next cross is from the Austrians, but Yokuslu is in the right place and shoots the ball wide.
There are four minutes of extra time. Is that still enough to make up for it?
Now only Austria plays. Turkey has all their field players in their own penalty area. I don't know if there will be enough strength to launch a counterattack.
Turkish players can now clearly see how difficult this game is. There is not much energy left, and everyone hopes that it will be enough somehow in the end.
Kokcu needs treatment. After a break, he grabs the back of his thigh. Experienced football fans know right away: hamstring. And things don't go any further for the Turk: he was replaced by Kahveci.
You didn't see it on the TV pictures, but Sabitzer was clearly hit in the head with a cup or a coin before taking a corner. It's possible things could continue for the Austrian, but it was certainly a stupid move by some of the “fans” in the stands.
The Turks made a double change: Guler Yildiz left the field, and were replaced by Yokuslu and Akturkoglu.
Arnautovic tries from distance but his opponent blocks it. I can understand Gregoric who would have liked to see the pass deep. He would have been free after all.
The Austrians are now pressing and pushing everything forward in the rain in Leipzig.
Another goal from a corner: “Gregerl” Gregoric makes it 1:2. Bosch gets his head on the ball after the corner and passes it to Gregoric, who has plenty of space at the second post.
Rangnick makes another double change: Grillitsch and Weber replace Laimer and Lienhart.
By the way, Merih Demiral has been playing for Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League for a year now and is playing there with Riyad Mahrez. Maybe these two goals will help take the league seriously in Saudi Arabia. You don't have to focus on Ronaldo and Benzema, but on the real heroes like Merih Demiral.
Turkey are 2-0 up again. It's a corner. The ball is in the net again. And of course: Demiral is the one who hits his head again this time. We already said it in the first half: the Austrians should be careful with him. Maybe we should have written it down on a piece of paper and given it to Konrad Laimer.
Turkey reacts to the Austrians' changes with their own: Ozcan comes on for Yuksek. Ozcan is known in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund. This is a player of the “You can't get here!” brand in defensive midfield.
Next finish from the Austrians, this time from Busch. Suddenly the team no longer had any problems getting into good positions and looking for the finish.
Linhart sees yellow for a tactical foul on Guler. But of course, that's the danger now: that the Turks will counterattack.
It seems that Ralf Rangnick found the right words during the break. Because now his team suddenly had chances. Bosch with a great pass to Arnautovic – but he remains free in front of goal and sticks to goalkeeper Gunnock.
Found an error? Report it now.
“Creator. Troublemaker. Reader. Tv nerd. Proud beer advocate. Unable to type with boxing gloves on. Introvert. Certified zombie practitioner. Thinker.”
More Stories
Pickleball: A popular sport from the USA is now also in Newmarket.
Stage 6 of the Tour de France – Groenewegen races to victory in Dijon – Sports
Maren Haile Selassie scores for Chicago for fourth straight time