By Theo Van Zyl
Two goals from centre back Merih Demiral were enough to give Turkey the victory over Austria, sending them through to the quarter finals of the European Championships
Turkey exacted revenge on Austria, who had beaten them 6-1 in a friendly earlier this year.
Turkey made an excellent start to the game, winning a corner which Arda Güler took.
It was pinball in the Austrian box before it fell to Demiral, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net, giving Turkey the lead after 57 seconds.
His goal is the fastest ever in the Euro knockouts.
Demiral cleared the ball off the line at the other end just minutes later.
An Austrian corner came all the way through to the back post, where the defender tipped it behind, with Austrian players waiting for an easy tap-in.
On the hour mark it was the defender Demiral who struck again with a powerful header from another Güler corner, doubling their advantage.
Austria pulled one back soon after with another goal from a set piece. The ball was flicked on at the near post to find an unmarked Michael Gregoritsch, who couldn’t miss from close range.
The goal gave Ralf Ragnick’s side a new lease of life as they pushed for an equalizer.
Had it not been for an incredible stop from Mert Günok in stoppage time, they might have had one.
A final cross into the box found Chirstoph Baumgartner whose header was saved by the Turkish keeper at full stretch, denying Austria’s final attempt on goal.
Turkey will play the Netherlands in the quarter finals, after they beat Romania 3-0 in the earlier kick-off.
It’s just the third time that Turkey has reached the quarter finals of the Euros, and the first time they have gone this far since 2008.
Pictured above: Demiral celebrates his second goal with Güler
Source: Euro 2024/X
