Poland grew to become the primary nation to be knocked out of Euro 2024 following a 3-1 defeat to Austria.
Targets from Gernot Trauner, Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic sealed a powerful win for Ralf Rangnick’s facet in Berlin, which left their opponents with two defeats from their first two Group D fixtures.
And on account of the goalless draw between the Netherlands and France in a while within the night, Poland exited the competitors with one sport to spare.
Austria began the sport at breakneck velocity and their aggressive attacking method paid off inside 10 minutes, when Philipp Mwene clipped a cross to the close to put up, the place Trauner leapt to information in a cultured header.
The depth waned because the half went on, permitting Poland to start to mount a comeback; Nicola Zalewski rushed a shot over the bar, earlier than Philipp Lienhart diverted a shot from Piotr Zielinski away after which bravely put his head in the best way of a cross to the close to put up from Przemyslaw Frankowski.
On the half-hour, they have been again in it. A cross from the left introduced a component of panic to the penalty space and, after Jan Bednarek’s shot was blocked by Trauner, Krzysztof Piatek seized management and tucked residence the equaliser.
The Polish contingent within the stands obtained a carry when talisman Robert Lewandowski was launched with half an hour to play, however Austria have been quickly in entrance once more; Alexander Prass’ sweeping go was dummied by Arnautovic and completed by Baumgartner.
It was job executed after 78 minutes when Marcel Sabitzer was clumsily introduced down by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny within the field, which allowed ex-Stoke and West Ham frontman Arnautovic to complete coolly, make certain of the factors and kick-start Austria’s Euro 2024 marketing campaign.
Stats: Story of the match
Evaluation – Superb Austria are ones to observe
Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:
Austria had a spot in lots of analysts’ Euro 2024 ‘darkish horses’ picks. You’ll be able to positively see why after their newest show.
Ralf Rangnick’s facet picked up their first win in opposition to Poland however did so in a really engaging model.
Full-backs Stefan Posch and Philipp Mwene have been arguably their greatest sources of assault. Sitting midfielders Nicolas Seiwald and Konrad Laimer generated a few of their greatest possibilities of the sport. Poland’s defence couldn’t cope with Christoph Baumgartner and Marcel Sabitzer’s working and work within the half areas.
Now Austria stand getting ready to the knockout rounds and face a giant sport in opposition to the Netherlands to seal their place.
Getting second place could possibly be essential because it could possibly be England within the first knockout spherical in the event that they end third. However how each groups are taking part in, would that be so unhealthy?
