Austria celebrates winning the group. © APA/afp / ODD ANDERSEN

Thriller against the Netherlands: Austria is group winner

Austria’s national football team sensationally advanced to the European Championship round of 16 as winners of Group D.

June 25, 2024

From: apa/dpa

The ÖFB selection won a spectacular 3-2 (1-0) match against the Netherlands in Berlin's Olympic Stadium on Tuesday, finishing the pool with six points ahead of France (5) and the "Elftal" (4), who had also been promoted. The next match is in Leipzig on Tuesday against the second-placed team in Group F. Turkey, the Czech Republic and Georgia are possible opponents.

An own goal by Donyell Malen (6th), a header by Romano Schmid (59th) and a skilful shot by Marcel Sabitzer (80th) ensured the first ÖFB victory over the Netherlands since 47, with goals conceded by Cody Gakpo (75th) and Memphis Depay (1994th). It was already clear before the match that Austria would have been in the knockout phase even if they had lost by four goals.

Furious start

Austria started strongly, as they had against Poland, pushed the “Oranje” into defence and had early cause to celebrate. Prass broke through on the left and his low cross sent Malen sliding into his own goal. It was the Sturm Graz professional's second assist after the one that made it 2-1 against Poland. The ÖFB eleven has now scored in the first ten minutes in six of the seven international matches this year.

Donyell Malen put the ball into his own goal. © APA/afp / ODD ANDERSEN

As a result, Red-White-Red had more possession of the ball, but the Dutch stepped up a gear. Tijjani Reijnders missed from a promising position (14th) and nine minutes later played a perfect pass to Malen, who shot wide of the far corner, alone in front of ÖFB goalkeeper Patrick Pentz.

The Austrians responded with a long-range shot from Florian Grillitsch into the arms of “Elftal” goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen (30th minute) and a great chance in the 38th minute. After a corner, Verbruggen had trouble with a long-range shot from Marcel Sabitzer, a few seconds later Marko Arnautovic got to the ball at the five-yard line but didn't hit the ball properly. Shortly before, national coach Ronald Koeman had already switched to a more offensive variant and brought on Xavi Simons for Joey Veerman.

Cody Gakpo made the Netherlands cheer. © APA/afp / JOHN MACDOUGALL

When the second half kicked off, Austria was already virtually the group winner due to the 0-0 halftime score between France and Poland, but 72 seconds later the situation looked different. Grillitsch lost the ball deep in the opponent's half, the Dutch switched quickly and Simon served Gakpo, who curled the ball into the far corner.

An up and down

Grillitsch quickly made up for his mistake. His cross landed precisely at Schmid's feet, and the 1,68 meter tall Styrian headed his first goal for the national team in his 14th international match. Stefan de Vrij's rescue attempt failed. Soon after the 2:1, Baumgartner and Laimer came into the game, the Dutch relied on Wout Weghorst in the finish - and that paid off for the time being. The attacking tank put in a cross for Depay and the attacker, who had recently been heavily criticized, scored.

Marcel Sabitzer shot Austria to group victory. © ANSA / ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

Austria digested the new equaliser in no time. Baumgartner played Sabitzer free and the Dortmund professional beat Verbruggen in a spectacular way from a tight angle. The Dutch were unable to gain any more ground and Austria's second European Championship victory in a row - the last time they achieved this at a major tournament was the 1982 World Cup - was complete. The only downside: Wimmer will miss the round of XNUMX due to a yellow card suspension.

Mbappe’s goal not enough

Even the first European Championship goal by masked superstar Kylian Mbappé did not help France's filigree footballers to first place in the complicated Group D. The new signing from Real Madrid was back in the French starting eleven after breaking his nose and put the title contenders in the lead on Tuesday with a converted penalty in the 56th minute. But because Robert Lewandowski also equalized with a penalty (79th) for the previously eliminated Poland, the Équipe Tricolore had to settle for a 1:1 (0:0) and thus second place.

Kylian Mbappe was wearing a mask. © APA/afp / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD

With 13 goals at World or European Championships, Mbappé has now equalled Just Fontaine (13). Only the legendary Michel Platini has scored one more goal for France at major tournaments. In the round of XNUMX, the French will now face the second-placed team in Group E.

The results of Group D

France – Poland 1:1
Goals: 1:0 Mbappe (56th), 1:1 Lewandowski (79th)

Netherlands – Austria 2-3
Goals: 0:1 own goal Malen (6th), 1:1 Gakpo (47th), 1:2 Schmid (59th), 2:2 Depay (75th), 2:3 Sabitzer (80th)