With two goals from central defender Merih Demiral, Turkey defeated Austria 2-1 in Leipzig in the last game of the “16” phase and qualified for the eight best teams of Euro 2024.
Turkey qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in 16 years, while Austria also failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition this time around for the first time in their history.
Turkey’s opponent for the semi-final spot will be the Netherlands on Saturday (6/7) in Berlin.
The Al Ahli goalkeeper opened the scoring before the first minute when Guler’s corner was misjudged by the Austrian defence and Demiral’s effort opened the scoring and at the same time scored the fastest goal in a knockout match in the European Championship.
A series of missed opportunities followed for Ralf Rangnik’s side, who either saw the ball go past Gunnock’s posts or the Turkish goalkeeper make a save, but in both cases the goal failed to come.
In the 59th minute and from a new corner for Turkey, again taken by Güler, Demiral scored with a header, completely contrary to the flow and image of the match, which was played in the midfield of the “Red Bull Arena”.
Gregoric quickly reduced the deficit (66′) and everything indicated that the old “Wurdertim” would reach the equalizer, which was denied in the 90’+4 with an unlikely save by Gounock, in Baumgartner’s attempt.