Euro 2024: Demiral’s Brace Powers Turkey to 2-1 Victory Over Austria, Securing Quarterfinal Spot

Tuesday’s exciting 2-1 victory over Austria of Turkey to progress to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals was secured by goalkeeper Mert Gunok’s important stoppage-time save and the brilliance of Turkey’s Merih Demiral, who scored a goal in each half. Demiral, the player of the match, scored his first goal in just 57 seconds and added a strong header shortly before the hour.

This arranged a quarterfinal matchup against the Netherlands, who earlier in the day overcame Romania 3-0, on Saturday in Berlin. Halfway through the second half, Austria’s Michael Gregoritsch cut the lead, but Gunok’s outstanding save of Christoph Baumgartner’s header in the closing seconds ended their chances of equalizing. As Turkish supporters rushed to the streets, chanting, waving flags, and blasting vehicle horns in anticipation of a possible rematch of their Euro 2008 semifinal run, celebrations broke out in a number of German towns.

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Austria, who were regarded as the tournament’s dark horses, had a sad departure because they haven’t won a major tournament knockout match since 1954.

Dramatic Match Unfolds Make Turkey Win

Turkey got off to a frantic start when Demiral scored the fastest goal in the history of the European Cup knockout stage by taking advantage of a goalmouth scramble from a corner. Turkey attempted to disrupt Austria’s usual style of play by pressing high and trying to catch them on the break, even though they had lost control to Austria, who had crushed them 6-1 in a friendly in March.

Ralf Rangnick’s squad failed to record a shot on goal as Turkey held Austria at bay in the first half, despite the absence of their banned captain Hakan Calhanoglou. Following the interval, Austria stepped up their efforts, and six minutes into the second half, captain Marko Arnautovic had a chance to equalize but Gunok denied him one-on-one.

Rather, in the 59th minute, Arda Guler, the remarkable teenager, headed a powerful header from another corner to give Turkey a larger advantage. Austria made 20 shots on goal in an attempt to equalize, but only managed to get one back through replacement Gregoritsch in the 66th minute in the pouring rain.

With his header in stoppage time, Baumgartner appeared to have sealed the deal, but Gunok’s incredible one-handed save kept Turkey’s slim advantage intact and guaranteed their place in the round of eight.