Merih Demiral shines as Turkey beat Austria to reach Euro 2024 quarter-final
Merih Demiral shines as Turkey beat Austria to reach Euro 2024 quarter-final
Turkey's Merih Demiral scored twice to lead his team to a 2-1 victory over Austria on Tuesday, securing a place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Turkey will face the Netherlands next after they defeated Romania 3-0 earlier in the day.
Demiral opened the scoring just 57 seconds into the match, the fastest goal in a European Championship knockout match. He added a second goal with a powerful header just before the hour mark. Austria managed to cut the deficit through Michael Gregoritsch midway through the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome Turkey.
Austria's defeat marked a bitter end to their European Championship journey, as they continue to search for their first win in a knockout match at a major tournament since 1954.
The Turks took an early lead in a chaotic start when Demiral capitalized on a goalmouth scramble to fire into the roof of the net. Turkey adopted a 5-4-1 system and were content to let Austria control possession, looking to catch their opponents on the break. This strategy disrupted Austria's usual straightforward playing style.
Despite missing their suspended captain Hakan Calhanoglou, Turkey's defensive strategy paid off as Austria failed to register any shots on target in the first half. After the break, Austria came out with renewed vigor and had a golden opportunity to equalize early in the second half when captain Marko Arnautovic was one-on-one with Turkey's keeper but saw his shot blocked.
Instead, it was Demiral again who found the net, heading home in the 59th minute to double Turkey's lead.
Austria pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when substitute Gregoritsch finished at the far post. Austria applied late pressure and nearly found an equalizer, but Turkey's keeper Mert Gunok made a superb stoppage-time save to deny Christoph Baumgartner.
Despite their efforts, Austria could not find a way to level the score before the final whistle. The match ended with Turkey celebrating their advance to the next stage of the tournament.
For more news like this visit TOI. Get all the Latest News, City News, India News, Business News, and Sports News. For Entertainment News, TV News, and Lifestyle Tips visit Etimes