Euro 2024: Turkiye Narrowly Knockout Austria As Merih Demiral's Double Leads Side To Quarterfinals

 

Austria have been eliminated from the championship following 2-1 loss to Turkiye, who are through to the quarterfinal with both goals coming from Merih Demiral. 

Demiral put his side ahead with an early goal in the first minutes, blasting home a loose ball from a corner. He later doubled the lead in the second half with a glance header from Arda Guler's corner. 

Austria bounced back and Michael Gregoritsch slammed home a header pass from Posch to narrow Turkiye's lead. They narrowly missed leveling the score sheet in the stoppages as Baumgartner's header was saved on the touchline. 

The opening goal from Demiral in 57 seconds is now the earliest goal ever scored in the history of UEFA European championship. They will now progressed meet the Netherlands in the quarterfinal on Saturday. 

Overview 

Austria for much of the game seemed resilient but the Turkiye side maintained their strong outlook to the game and found remarkable moments from set pieces to put the lid on the game in the second half. 

Demiral for that matter was a defender and yet did a good job at the back at the same time. Austria had some scoring moments but credit to Merit Gunk's save and they could not take the game to the distance after Gregoritsch's goal, which was complimentary to their efforts through the game nonetheless.