The Round of 16 clash between Austria and Turkey at Euro 2024 will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the tournament’s most captivating encounters. The match was a whirlwind of action, a display of relentless football that outshone even the most thrilling scenes from the Mad Max franchise.
The game was a testament to the unpredictable nature of football. Despite showcasing exceptional technical skill and calculated play from both sides, no goals were scored from open play. Instead, the match became a spectacle of corner-kick mastery, with a remarkable three goals directly from set pieces, a first in Euro history.
Austria began the game in typical fashion, launching a swift attack that resulted in a shot on goal. However, the momentum shifted instantly when Turkey earned a corner kick, sparking a frantic scramble in the box. Central defender Merih Demiral, with a thunderous header, capitalized on the chaos, opening the scoring and igniting the Turkish supporters at the Red Bull Arena. This all unfolded within the first minute, a minute that crammed more action than entire matches involving other more celebrated teams at this Euros.
The relentless pace of the game was unsustainable. Turkey, with the lead in hand, settled into a defensive strategy, relying on the brilliance of midfielder Arda Guler to initiate counter-attacks. Austria, meanwhile, responded with a relentless pressing style, their coordinated passing moves proving a constant threat. Coach Ralf Rangnick masterfully shuffled his players, constantly rotating wingers Marcel Sabitzer and Christoph Baumgartner and unleashing wingbacks Stefan Posch and Philipp Mwene on surging runs. Rangnick’s tactical brilliance was evident, except for one crucial aspect – finishing. Austria dominated in every attacking metric except the one that truly mattered. They enjoyed more possession, had more shots on goal, and their expected goals (xG) were three times higher than Turkey’s (3.16 to 0.92). Yet, Turkey’s unwavering defense and discipline proved insurmountable.
Austria had their chances. Baumgartner, in particular, missed two golden opportunities. In the first half, he inexplicably failed to convert from point-blank range after a dangerous corner. The second miss, perhaps the most crucial of the match, came in the final seconds. Baumgartner headed a cross towards goal, only to be denied by the incredible reflexes of Turkish goalkeeper Fehmi Gunok, who dove to his right to claw the ball away. Rangnick, visibly distraught, compared Gunok’s save to the iconic Gordon Banks save.
In the absence of the suspended midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, the young Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler led Turkey’s defensive resistance. With tireless energy and an unwavering commitment to the challenge, Guler controlled the midfield, urging his teammates to push forward. His influence was evident in the second half, when he expertly delivered the corner kick that led to Demiral’s second goal, cementing Turkey’s victory.
Austria managed to find the back of the net through a header from Michael Gregoritsch after a corner kick, but it was too little, too late. Turkey, with their grit and determination, secured their fourth quarterfinal appearance in a major tournament.
As the final whistle blew, players from both teams collapsed onto the pitch, exhausted from the physical and mental demands of this intense match. It was a game that transcended the tournament, a game that will be talked about long after the final whistle blows. Certainly.
