Marcel Sabitzer lashed residence to earn Austria an exhilarating 3-2 win towards the Netherlands on Tuesday and ship his group by way of high of Euro 2024 Group D, forward of match favourites France and the third-place Dutch. All three nations are by way of to the final 16 however Ralf Rangnick’s intense Austria facet confirmed why some contemplate them darkish horses to win the match for the primary time on a rollicking afternoon in Berlin. Donyell Malen’s personal aim despatched Austria forward however Cody Gakpo pulled the Dutch degree early within the second half. Romano Schmid headed residence for Austria with Memphis Depay pegging them again as soon as extra, earlier than Sabitzer settled the frantic, end-to-end tussle.
Rangnick made 4 adjustments for Austria from the facet that successfully knocked out Poland, with defender Gernot Trauner, who scored in that victory, injured, whereas Christoph Baumgartner additionally netted and was left on the bench.
In the meantime Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman chosen Malen in assault as one in every of three adjustments from the goalless draw towards France final week.
The Borussia Dortmund ahead obtained off to an unlucky begin although when he slid in to deflect Alexander Prass’ cross into his personal web, as he tried to cease it reaching the lurking Marko Arnautovic.
Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders had a high-quality probability to swiftly equalise, scuffing his shot badly large after a neat change with Gakpo.
Netherlands supporters have lit up the match with their vibrant orange glow however Austria followers outnumbered and outsung them in Berlin.
As Rangnick’s males fizzed the ball round their struggling Dutch counterparts, supporters gleefully cheered every profitable go.
Koeman seethed on the touchline and flung his arms down in frustration as Malen despatched a bobbling shot past the far put up when nicely positioned.
The previous Barcelona coach introduced on Xavi Simons after solely 34 minutes for midfielder Joey Veerman so as to add extra spark and creativity to his group’s disjointed show.
Nonetheless it was Austria who carved out the subsequent massive probability, with Bart Verbruggen saving Sabitzer’s drive and Arnautovic unable to get his footwork proper to show residence from shut vary moments later as his group stored the transfer alive.
Netherlands got here out for the second half fired up and pulled degree as quickly because the forty seventh minute when Simons fed Gakpo, who despatched an assured curling end past Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz.
Austria stored their heads and Schmid nodded them again in entrance after 59 minutes from Florian Grillitsch’s cross, with Stefan de Vrij unable to hack the ball clear on the road.
The aim sucked the life out of the Netherlands, who turned to their tremendous sub towards Poland and on the 2022 World Cup towards Argentina, burly hitman Wout Weghorst, to place their plan B into motion.
It labored virtually instantly, with the striker nodding down for Depay to smash residence and pull the sport degree.
Austria struck again but once more to maneuver forward for the third time when Sabitzer fantastically rifled residence on the close to put up, after Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk performed him onside.
Substitute Baumgartner produced a high-quality end for what would have been Austria’s fourth however was offside, and Weghorst headed over a remaining probability for the downcast Dutch.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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