It was a night to remember in Leipzig. Proof that at a European Championship, even the most modest match can be wonderful. Especially if it’s an all-or-nothing last-16 match. Turkey continues to dream and will play in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands. Güler invented and assisted, Demiral executed and scored (a double) and Günok saved with a stratospheric hand in the last play of the game.
Günok makes the Euro 2019 save in the 95th minute to send Turkey into the quarterfinals
It was a (very) difficult match for Türkiye. Austria, who had just finished top of the group with France and the Netherlands, were causing fear. In addition, Calhanoglu, the captain and star of the Ottomans, was missing due to suspension. It was up to ‘Aeroplanino’ to invent. Güler, further forward in a false nine position… and Yilmaz assuming a lot of freedom from the right flank.
But in reality, everything turned out well thanks to the dead ball. And a bit of luck. Turkey were already winning in the first minute. Güler’s cross from the corner was poisoned, Pentz missed it and Baumgartner cleared it badly. Luck left the ball at the feet of Demiral, who did not miss. Everything was looking up for the Turks.
Demiral’s goal (0-1) in Austria 1-2 Türkiye
Then came 10 minutes of absolute madness. Austria reacted well, closing down their opponents and creating their best chances of the first half. Baumgartner himself almost scored seconds after the 0-1. And in the fifth minute, Demiral sent another corner over the line, which was full of venom. The Al Ahli centre-back was an absolute hero.
Güler shines again
Arda, meanwhile, took up his stripes and dared to do anything. He dropped to the right and dribbled, taking the ball out in a dead ball in the absence of Calhanoglu (and Demiral almost scored the second again from a corner kick)… He even tried his luck from midfield with a long ball. But Turkey knew it had to put Austria to sleep and anesthetize them. It did so and the Central Europeans began to suffer. They could not find confidence in their game.
But the second half was different. Rangnick started playing with his team and made two substitutions. He went on to play with two forwards, joining Arnautovic and Grigoritsch up front. They were attacking Günok’s goal and chances were starting to come… but The Güler-Demiral connection was sweet. And so the 0-2 came.
Demiral’s goal (0-2) in Austria 1-2 Türkiye
Again through a corner kick but this time the ball went from Arda’s foot to Demiral’s head without the need for intermediaries. A goal that made it 0-2 and made the former Atalanta and Juventus player the first defender to score a double in a knockout stage match at a European Championship or World Cup since Lilian Thuram in the 1998 World Cup. That’s something.
The last life of Austria
However, he had still left. In the 66th minute Austria scored the 1-2… again from a corner! This time Posch extended the lead in the heart of the area and Gregoritsch, unmarked, finished off the second. The match opened up and Austria chose to believe. Turkey, however, knew how to defend itself… not without suffering.
Gregoritsch’s goal (1-2) in Austria 1-2 Türkiye
Demiral completed a great match with 13 clearances (in addition to the double). The Turkish defence was a wall against which Austria came up against. Unable to find any cracks, time was running out in the rain in Leipzig. However, there was one last scare to come. A cross into the area was headed by Baumgartner and saved by Günok with an epic save that recalled, why not, the one Banks gave to Pelé in Mexico 1970.
But the tie did not come and Turkey celebrated their place in the quarter-finals. Their first time in that round since 2008, when they finished third at the EURO in Austria and Switzerland. precisely. Their rival now will be the Netherlands.
The Turks, at full speed
Demiral’s goal in the first minute of play was the earliest goal in the history of Euro qualifiers. The second fastest goal in the history of the European tournament: the first is Bajrami’s goal in this European Championship against Italy after 23 seconds. Curiously, the Ottomans already have the fastest goal in the history of the World Cup: Hakan Sukur scored in 11 seconds against South Korea in the third-place match at the 2002 World Cup.
2024-07-02 20:59:27
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