Turkey knocks Rangnick's Austrians out of the European Championships
The Turkish football national team pulls off an EM surprise: In a heated quarter-final, they knock out previously strong-performing Austria from the tournament. The way is paved by a goal after just 57 seconds.
The fastest knockout round goal in European Championship history and an explosive Turkish team shattered all dreams of dark horse favorite Austria and made Ralf Rangnick's return to Leipzig an evening of great disappointment. The match, initiated by a goal from double-scorer Merih Demiral after 57 seconds, ended in a 1:2 (0:1) loss for the highly touted Austrians on Tuesday night.
Despite their first-ever quarterfinal entry at an EM tournament, there was nothing left for Rangnick's team. Another goal from Demiral (59.) and an equalizer from Freiburg's Michael Gregoritsch (66.) as well as a late offensive push from the Austria team with Bundesliga professionals could not save them. The Turks will now play against the Dutch in Berlin on Saturday for a place in the EM semifinals. The Turks have not been in the semifinals of an EM since 2008, when they were eliminated in the semifinals against Germany.
Home-field advantage for Turkey
Rangnick's hope for a bit of home-field advantage on his return to Leipzig was short-lived: Although most fans wore red, the majority of the 38,305 spectators were Turkish fans. They were loud and grew even louder after just one minute when the ball bounced in front of the Turkish fans' section in the Austrian goal net.
Just before the corner from the left side, Leipzig's Christoph Baumgartner cleared the ball before the line, but it hit his teammate Stefan Posch, and Patrick Pentz saved it right in front of Demiral's feet. The professional from the Saudi Arabian league didn't hesitate and caused the first explosion of excitement. Even the Turkish sports director and former Bundesliga professional Hamit Altintop rubbed his eyes in disbelief on the sidelines.
At the sidelines, Rangnick had to endure it. Quick goals are supposed to be the specialty of his team. Just before the Austrian goal, Borussia Dortmund's former RB professional Marcel Sabitzer had not reached 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 in March 6:1. And Austria, which had qualified for the round of 16 as group leader ahead of France, the Netherlands, and Poland, got it as well. Gueler taunted the Turkish fans and created danger with his corners.
Austria's chances lacking
The game had to be the pressing machine of Rangnick. The best chance for an equalizer was Baumgartner, who had scored six goals in the last eight games. The RB professional failed with a long-range shot (2.) due to pressure from a defender after a flat corner. The Turks could do what Austria is supposed to be good at: counter-attacks. And they remained dangerous. Good scenes from Rangnick's team, who had shaped the rapid advance of RB from 2012 to 2019 in Leipzig, were in short supply until the break.
It was clear that something had to change. The Austrians were pushing hard after the substitution. Captain Marko Arnautović (51.) had an opportunity presented to him, but it was taken away again. It was another corner, and once again it was Demiral who scored. With two Austrian players not jumping high enough, he headed the ball in.
Was that it? No, because Austria was booing itself and shortening the game through the substitution of Gregoritsch. Pointing at the jeering Turkish fan curve, 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. Mert Günenok saved the header-setter from close range with a giant parade. And Rangnick saw his team's defeat as if frozen in place on the sideline in the persistent rain from the sideline.
- Despite Ralf Rangnick's return to Leipzig bringing a hope for home-field advantage, the majority of the 38,305 spectators were Turkish fans, contributing to an buzzing atmosphere that helped Turkey's early success.
- The European Football Championship 2024 quarter-final match between Austria and Turkey saw a dramatic turn of events with Turkey scoring just 57 seconds into the game, a record-breaking quick knockout goal, which set the tone for the rest of the match.
- As Turkey progressed to face the Dutch in Berlin for a place in the EM semifinals, fans of Austria and their Bundesliga professionals could only watch in disappointment, having been eliminated by a determined Turkish team that outperformed them in counter-attacks and defending their lead effectively.
