Merih Demiral scored twice as Turkey beat Austria 2-1 in Leipzig to arrange a quarter-final conflict with Netherlands at Euro 2024 – nevertheless it wanted a surprise save from Mert Gunok in stoppage-time.
Austria had gone forward inside the primary 10 minutes of their earlier two matches however right here they had been on the receiving finish. Arda Guler, the teenage sensation, whipped in a nook that goalkeeper Patrick Pentz couldn’t take care of and Demiral fired dwelling.
Clocked at simply 57 seconds, it was the quickest aim within the historical past of the European Championship knockout phases. Ralf Rangnick’s Austria had been fancied, significantly given their 6-1 win over Turkey in March, however their opponents rose to the problem.
Austria’s Marko Arnautovic squandered an important probability to equalise in opposition to Turkey
Marko Arnautovic squandered an important probability to equalise when he didn’t elevate the ball over the goalkeeper and Austria by no means did draw stage. Demiral nodded in one other very good Guler nook simply earlier than the hour mark to seemingly put Turkey in complete management of the tie.
Substitute Michael Gregoritsch did latch onto a knockdown to tug one again and arrange a dramatic end, however Turkey goalkeeper Gunok produced the save of the event to disclaim Christoph Baumgartner within the closing moments of an exhilarating match.
Gunok was the hero for Turkey with this extraordinary save
Guler’s corners | Gunok’s save
The problem for Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella was to search out some fluency within the absence of their suspended playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu and to his nice credit score he managed to discover a means with the assistance of supreme high quality at each ends of the pitch.
Demiral celebrates scoring after simply 57 seconds in opposition to Austria
Demiral took the player-of-the-match award however owed each objectives to the sensational supply of 19-year-old Guler. His inswinging corners had been too good for Austria and had been instrumental in Turkey profitable this tie. It wanted Gunok to see it by means of.
Austria flung so many crosses into the penalty field late within the recreation however the final one was the important thing one. Because the clock ticked over to 94 minutes, Baumgartner did every little thing proper, heading laborious and low to the goalkeeper’s proper. Gunok was as much as the problem.