Turkey Advances to Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals to Face Netherlands After Thrilling Win Over Austria

Turkey has set up a quarter-final clash with the Netherlands in Euro 2024 following a thrilling 2-1 victory over Austria. Both countries have reached the last eight of the European Championship for the first time since 2008.

Merih Demiral was the standout player for Turkey, scoring just 50 seconds into the match and adding a decisive goal just before the hour mark. Despite the absence of their suspended captain Hakan Calhanoglu, Vincenzo Montella’s side, buoyed by a massive crowd at the Zentralstadion, will face the Dutch in Berlin on Saturday. The Netherlands advanced with a comfortable 3-0 win over Romania earlier on Tuesday.

Reflecting on their earlier 6-1 defeat to Austria in March, Montella expressed satisfaction at the chance for redemption, stating, “I denied it yesterday but today I can admit that Austria was the team I wanted so that I could get rid of that stain that as a coach I had on me.”

Turkey will again rely on their passionate fans in the German capital as they aim to replicate their run to the semi-finals from 16 years ago. Austria, despite their efforts, could not secure a win. Ralf Rangnick’s side dominated most of the game, particularly in the second half, but conceded the second goal completely against the run of play.

Al-Ahli centre-back Demiral became the first European defender to score twice in the knockout stages of a major tournament since Lilian Thuram for France at the 1998 World Cup. Michael Gregoritsch reduced the deficit for Austria by converting Stefan Posch’s flick-on from a corner shortly after Demiral’s second goal. Despite their dominance, Austria couldn’t capitalize and were eliminated after Christoph Baumgartner was denied an equalizer in the final seconds of added time by an incredible save from Mert Gunok.

Austria’s coach Rangnick commented, “I believe if the game had gone into extra-time we would have won the game because the Turkish team were exhausted and we had a physical advantage.”

In their match, Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen, with a brace in the second half, helped the Dutch secure a spot in the last eight. Ronald Koeman’s side, heavily criticized after a 3-2 defeat to Austria that led them to finish third in Group D, showed significant improvement on Tuesday. Gakpo, the Netherlands’ most impressive performer, put his team ahead in the 20th minute with a powerful shot. Despite missing several chances, the Dutch eventually sealed their win with Malen’s late goals.

Koeman praised his team, stating, “We are Dutch, we have to play well. The performance today was outstanding and that’s why we have a chance to continue.”

The winner of the Netherlands-Turkey match will play against either England or Switzerland next Wednesday.