Merih Demiral was Turkey’s unlikely hero with each targets in a 2-1 win over Austria on Tuesday that booked their place within the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. The Al-Ahli centre-back smashed residence after simply 58 seconds and produced a towering header on the hour mark to double Turkey’s lead. Michael Gregoritsch rapidly pulled a purpose again for Austria and solely a surprising save from Mert Gunok denied Christoph Baumgartner a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage-time. Turkey advance to face the Netherlands within the final eight in Berlin on Saturday. Austria had emerged as darkish horses to go far on the perceived weaker aspect of the draw after topping a bunch together with France and the Netherlands.
Ralf Rangnick’s aspect had additionally thrashed Turkey 6-1 in a pleasant in March, however this time they didn’t get well from a nightmare begin.
Actual Madrid’s Arda Guler was a relentless risk to the Austrian defence and his teasing supply from a nook brought on chaos inside the primary minute.
Baumgartner’s clearance off the road hit team-mate Stefan Posch, goalkeeper Patrick Pentz clawing it out to Demiral, who lashed into the roof of the web for the second quickest purpose ever at a European Championship.
Turkey’s raucous followers exploded in a deafening celebration, however they had been almost introduced again right down to earth right away.
Baumgartner fired inches broad kind the sting of the field earlier than Demiral one way or the other prevented the RB Leipzig midfielder from scoring at his residence floor as a harmful Austrian nook flashed throughout purpose.
Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella mentioned that absent captain Hakan Calhanoglu, who was lacking resulting from suspension, was “irreplaceable.”
Nevertheless, Guler assumed accountability within the playmaking position and almost produced a surprising second for his aspect with an audacious try from the midway line that drifted broad.
Solely Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands have had the next successful proportion in European soccer since Rangnick took cost of Austria two years in the past.
Gunok to the rescue
The previous Manchester United boss made two adjustments at half-time, together with the introduction of Gregoritsch, who scored a hat-trick when the perimeters met three months in the past.
Rangnick received the response he desired as Austria started reducing by means of the Turkish defence.
Gunok unfold himself brilliantly to disclaim Marko Arnautovic when one-on-one earlier than Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer lacked the end to a advantageous run by means of the center.
Nevertheless, they didn’t study their lesson from Guler corners as one other inviting supply was powered residence by Demiral.
In doing so the 26-year-old grew to become the primary European defender to attain twice within the knockout phases of a significant event since Lillian Thuram for France on the 1998 World Cup.
It was additionally a set-piece on the different finish that received Austria again within the sport seven minutes later.
Posch flicked on Marcel Sabitzer‘s nook for Gregoritsch to brush excessive into the web.
A torrential downpour couldn’t drown out a sensational ambiance in Leipzig, with Turkey’s large expat inhabitants in Germany once more making it like a house sport for Montella’s males.
The fervent ambiance turned bitter as Sabitzer was struck by an object thrown from the gang as he ready to take a nook.
Baris Alper Yilmaz was denied a 3rd for Turkey by a advantageous save from Pentz in stoppage-time.
That almost proved essential as Gunok then needed to produce a exceptional cease to stop Baumgartner’s downward header discovering the far nook.
It was an unimaginable save paying homage to England keeper Gordon Banks’ iconic cease from Pele within the 1970 World Cup.
However Turkey stood agency amid an aerial bombardment from Austria to succeed in the quarter-finals of a significant event for the primary time since Euro 2008.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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