Austria surprises everyone and wins Group D of Euro2024 by beating the Netherlands 3-2 and taking advantage of France’s 1-1 draw against Poland. The Orange finished in third place but still qualified as one of the best third places.
Euro2024, the formations
HOLLAND (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Geertruida, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké; Reijnders, Schouten, Veerman; Malen, Depay, Gakpo. CT: Koeman
AUSTRIA (4-2-3-1): Pentz; Posch, Wober, Lienhart, Prass; Seiwald, Grillitsch; Wimmer, Sabitzer, Schmid; Arnautovic. CT: Rangnick
FRANCE (4-3-3): Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Tchouaméni, Kanté, Rabiot; Dembelè, Mbappé, Barcola. CT. Deschamps.
POLAND (3-4-2-1): Skorupski; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Moder, Zielinski, Zalewski; Szyamanski, Urbanski; Lewandowski. CT Probierz.
Netherlands-Austria 2-3, first half
Spectacular goals and lots of emotions between Holland and Austria. At the Olympiastadion in Berlin, the Austrians took the lead after 7 minutes. Serious marking error by Geertruida who, for the third time in seven minutes, completely loses Prass. The cross from the red and white winger was beautiful and Malen’s deflection into his own goal was clumsy. Nothing to be done for the goalkeeper, deserved advantage for the approach and the surprising tactical attitude adopted by the Austrians. In the 14th minute it was Reijnders who wasted the ball to make it 1-1. First there was a lack of attention from the Austrian defense and Reijnders found the ball for a potential 1-1 on the spot, but the midfielder managed to not even get his shot on target. At the end of the first half it was Arnautovic who wasted the 0-2. Following a short clearance from Verbruggen, the Inter center forward finds himself face to face with the goalkeeper with half an empty net. For the second time since the start of the match, however, the attacker made a breakthrough and graced the Netherlands.
The recovery
In the second half an immediate equalizer in the 47th minute for the Netherlands. Mark Gakpo. Grillitsch loses the ball under the pressure of the Netherlands, Xavi Simons is very good at traveling forty meters with the ball at his feet and widening for Gakpo, able to aim for the direct marker and put it almost at the intersection with an unstoppable curling shot. 1-1! Austria is not discouraged and in the 60th minute they take the lead again with Schmidt. And it is a beautiful goal from the attacker, a spectacular diving header in terms of power and precision. Grillitsch also provided a nice assist as he partially atoned for the mistake he made earlier. The Netherlands didn’t give up and in the 76th minute they made it 2-2 through Depay. Intelligent pass from Weghorst for Depay, able to control the ball between the two Austrian centre-backs and put it into the top corner. Just enough to redeem 75 minutes is certainly not up to the task. 2-2! A draw that lasts 5 minutes because Sabitzer makes it 3-2 for Austria. Serious defensive error by Van Dijk who, going up late, keeps the Austrian center forward in the game: ball into the top corner and Austria back in the lead. But it is inexplicable that a player of the captain’s experience would make mistakes of this kind. Austria ends 3-2 with Holland third and Rangnick’s team first.
France-Poland 1-1, first half
First French chance after 10 minutes. Dembele skips Zalewski and puts it in the middle, Theo Hernandez arrives at the far post and shoots hard. Skorupski deflects a corner kick. In the 19th minute Skorupski was again decisive. Counterattack by Kanté who widens to the right for Dembelé, on whom the Bologna-owned goalkeeper is providential. In the 42nd minute Mbappé then tries. The French captain takes over Barcola’s action and concludes, with a providential intervention from Skorupski who deflects it for a corner. In closing France still dangerous twice. First with Theo. Deschamps’ team breaks through again on the left flank, a low cross from Theo Hernandez put out by Zalewski. Then with Mbappé. Copycat action on the left-handed side, the France number 10 hits the Bologna goalkeeper who sends it for a corner.
The recovery
At the start of the second half Mbappé immediately came close to scoring. Another decisive intervention by Skorupski, who stretches to deflect the French champion’s curling shot laterally. The French take the lead in the 56th minute. Foul by Kiwior on Dembelé and penalty. Mbappé’s conversion from eleven meters was impeccable: he displaced Skorupski. First goal in a European championship for him. France attacked and in the 75th minute Mbappé ate the second. Restart managed by Dembelè, who all alone in front of Skorupski kicks into the arms of the Bologna goalkeeper. A minute passes and Guida gives VAR a penalty to Poland. Maignan saved Lewandoski’s shot but the penalty was repeated after the goalkeeper left the goal line before the shot. On the second attempt Lewandoski scores 1-1. Extremely angled right-footed shot from the Barcelona striker, Maignan intuits it but is unable to reach it. The ball caresses the inside post and goes behind him. France looks for a new advantage but doesn’t find it. Ends 1-1. France second. Poland eliminated with a very high head.
