European Football Championship - Turkey celebrates: European Championship exit for Rangnick and Austria
Deeply disappointed and completely drenched, Ralf Rangnick made his way to his bench after the end of all EM dreams. The Austrian German head coach sat down slowly and took off his hat, while the opposite side of the stadium played out the complete opposite: The victorious Turks danced before their red fan curve and started their unexpected triumph party with loud singing.
2:1 (1:0) won the outsider in a thrilling EURO 2020 round of 16. The fastest knockout round goal in football championship history and the wildly playing Turks shattered all dreams of dark horse Austria and also Rangnick's return to Leipzig into an evening of great disappointment.
Led by double scorer Merih Demiral, the Turks were introduced to this surprise with a goal just 57 seconds in. "We are super happy. It was a wonderful win," said the Turkish goalkeeper Mert Günok. "And I believe: Our way here is still quite long. We believe we can make it to the end."
The Turks will now play in the semifinals against the Dutch on Saturday in Berlin, who previously defeated Romania 3:0. The Turks are back in the quarterfinals of a EURO since 2008 - the last time they were in the semifinals against Germany.
However, nothing came out of Rangnick and his team's first-ever quarterfinal appearance at an EURO tournament. After another goal by Demiral (59.), the Austria team with Bundesliga professionals could not make use of Freiburg's Michael Gregoritsch's equalizer (66.) or a late offensive push.
Home game atmosphere for Turkey
Rangnick's hope for a little home field advantage upon his return to Leipzig was short-lived: Although almost all fans wore red - but the majority of the 38,305 spectators were Turkish fans. They were loud and became even louder after not even a minute when the ball bounced in front of the Turkish fans in the Austrian goal net.
Before a corner from the left side, Rangnick had to endure the wait. Fast goals are actually the specialty of his team. Just before the goal against, Borussia Dortmund's former RB player Marcel Sabitzer did not reach the ball after a Baumgartner pass.
A hot game was expected by Rangnick and his players, as they had won a test match against Turkey just before the tournament 6:1. And Austria, which qualified for the round of 16 as group winner ahead of France, the Netherlands, and Poland, got it as well. Teenager star Arda Güler from Real Madrid whipped up the Turkish fans and created danger with his corners repeatedly.
Chances for Austria were in short supply. The pressing machine of Rangnick had to make the game. The best chance for an equalizer was Baumgartner's, who had scored six goals in the last eight games. The RB professional failed with a long-range shot (2.).
The Turks were able to do what Austria's strength really is: counter-attacks. And they remained dangerous. The scenes from Rangnick's team, who had significantly shaped RB Leipzig's rapid advance from 2012 to 2019, were lacking until the break.
The Big Evening of Demiral
It was clear that something had to change in the second half. The Austrians were pressing, and persistently so. Captain Marko Arnautović (51.) missed the best opportunity, wide open.
And then this: Another corner, once again taken by Güler. And once again it was Demiral who scored. Flanked by two Austrian players who didn't jump high enough, he headed the ball in.
Was that it? No, because Austria protested and shortened the game through the substitution of Gregoritsch. In reference to the booing Turkish fan base, all further attacking efforts, despite constant pressure in the closing phase, remained fruitless. Baumgartner missed the big chance in the fifth minute of stoppage time. And Rangnick watched the end of his team like a statue on the sidelines in the relentless rain from the sideline.
Following their defeat, Ralf Rangnick returns to Leipzig filled with disappointment. The Austrian-German coach watched in dismay as Turks celebrated their unexpected victory in the round of sixteen. Merih Demiral led the Turkish team to a 2:1 victory, scoring twice, with the fastest goal in EURO championship history. The Turks will now face the Dutch in the semifinals in Berlin, having not reached this stage since 2008. Austria, though the group winner, struggled against their opponents, with Bundesliga professionals like Michael Gregoritsch unable to secure an equalizer. Despite Rangnick's hope for home field advantage, the majority of the 38,305 spectators were Turkish fans, creating a lively atmosphere. Chances for Austria were limited, with Baumgartner failing to convert a long-range shot. The Turks, known for their counter-attacks, exploited this weakness, with Teenager star Arda Güler from Real Madrid creating numerous dangerous opportunities. Despite intense pressure in the closing phase, Austria was unable to score, and Rangnick watched the game's end from the sidelines in the heavy rain.
