- Turkey took a two-goal lead thanks to two superb goals from Merih Demiral
- Goalkeeper Mert Gunok would pull off a stunning save to seal the victory
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A wild, raw, febrile night of tournament football as it should be — teams playing as if their lives depended on it and many, many people in red, frantically bouncing up and down in the rain.
Austria came with their engineered pressing method put in place by Ralf Rangnick and a hell of a lot of belief, given the 6-1 swatting they had handed the Turks in March.
But Turkey had something unquantifiable, unpredictable, feverish even, borne of a force of support in this country which has been with them all along.
They upended Austria’s method from the start, scoring after 56 seconds when Rangnick’s defence engaged in several seconds of comical pinball defending from a corner, allowing Merih Demiral to slap the ball in from close range.
The Austrians were supposed to be the fast starters. They had scored in the first 10 minutes in six of their past seven games.
Merih Demiral (pictured) scored twice to help Turkey seal a 2-1 victory against Austria
The victory means that Turkey will play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024
Demiral (left) netted from close rane to give his side a 1-0 lead after 57 seconds, in what was the fastest goal ever at the knockout stages of the European championships
It wasn’t without for the want for trying for Das Team, as the Austrians are imaginatively known. Turkey looked afraid of Christoph Baumgartner.
But Turkey also stood a line of five defenders in the way and Austria struggled to pass it.
Rangnick’s players were on the hinge of a terrible jeopardy, operating so high and leaving so much space behind.
There could have been an Alpine mountain for them to climb if Baris Alper Yilmaz had delivered a respectable cross after beating Philipp Lienhart, but his cross was wild.
The Austrians began with a new formation after half-time, with a strike partner for Marko Arnautovic, and Rangnick’s players went at Turkey again.
Demiral would find the back of the net again in the second half, doubling his side’s lead with a header
Austria pulled a goal back not long after with Michael Gergoritsch (right) tapping in at the back post
Austria would continue to press late on as they looked for an equaliser, but could not convert their chances
Mert Gunok produced produced this sensational save to deny Austria a last-gasp equaliser
Marko Arnautovic (left) and his side cut heartbroken figures at the end of the match
Austria were backed as one of the favourites to make it through to the quarters but were left stunned by the brilliance of Turkey
Against a backdrop of Turkish shrill whistles, an Arnautovic shot was repelled and Konrad Laimer could find no end product after a slalom run.
Turkey exploited Austrian defending once more to make it 2-0, Demiral hauling himself above the centre halves to power in a header.
Austria responded, Stefan Posch nodding Marcel Sabitzer’s whipped corner to the unmarked Michael Gregoritsch who pulled one back.
Austria drove for another but couldn’t find the guile to break the lines and get beyond the deep-lying Turkish encampment.
Vincenzo Montella (left of centre) raised his fist in the air as his side celebrated the victory
Turkey gathered on the centre circle as they celebrated the victory, as their players jumped up and down and celebrated the win
Turkey have brought a monumental fusion of both fans and players to the tournament to create a force to be reckoned with
A collective gasp greeted a monumental clearing header from Okay Yokuslu. A save from the Gods by Mert Gonuk swatted away Baumgartner’s goalbound header at the death.
So it is Turkey and their carnival who will face the Netherlands on Saturday. They have brought fine football and poor football to this tournament but this energy, this monumental fusion of fans and players, is some force to be reckoned with.