Netherlands-Austria 2-3: the signing of Sabitzer, first place in group D

Holland-Austria, a match valid for the third day of group D, ended 2-3 in Berlin. The goals: own goal by Malen, then in the second half Gakpo, Schmid, Depay and finally Sabitzer. A result that allows Rangnick’s team to win their group and challenge the second in group F (either Turkey or the Czech Republic) in the round of 16. Koeman’s team was disappointing, not very solid at the back and surprised by the Austrians’ continuous verticalisations. Oranje among the best thirds, but expected by a complicated eighth.

HOLLAND (4-3-3): Verbruggen 5.5; Geertruida 5, De Vrij 5, Van Dijk, Aké 5 (From 65′ Van de Ven 5.5); Schouten 5.5, Veerman 5 (From 35′ Simons 6.5), Reijnders 5.5 (From 65′ Wijnaldum 6); Malen 4.5 (From 72′ Weghorst 6.5), Depay 6.5, Gakpo 6.5. Ct. Koeman 5.5

AUSTRIA (4-2-3-1): Pentz 6; Posch 6, Lienhart 6.5 (From 63′ Laimer 6), Wober 5.5, Prass 6.5; Seiwald 6, Grillitsch 6 (From 64′ Querfeld 6); Wimmer 5.5 (From 63′ Baumgartner 7), Sabitzer 7.5, Schmid 7 (From 92′ Weimann SV); Arnautovic 6 (From 79′ Gregoritsch SV). Ct. Rangnick 7.5

Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)

Goals: 6′ author. Malen (O), 47′ Gakpo (O), 59′ Schmid (A), 78′ Depay (O), 80′ Sabitzer (A)

Assists: Simons, Grillitsch, Weghorst, Baumgartner

Ammonites: Posch, Wimmer, Querfeld

6′ – OWN GOAL BY MALEN! 0-1 AUSTRIA! Resounding. Arnautovic pots in for Prass, who puts it in, MALEN slips backwards and mocks Verbruggen.

14′ – REIJNDERS wastes. Great Dutch action, with the AC Milan midfielder exchanging with Gakpo, but then widening the ball too much from the center of the area. He throws the ball out.

23′ – WHAT IS MALEN DOING WRONG? Incredible. Ball in from Reijnders for MALEN, who all alone crosses his left foot too far when one-on-one with Pentz. Great chance.

38′ – AUSTRIA DOUBLE CHANCE. First a shot from the edge of the area by SABITZER is blocked by Verbruggen, then Arnautovic finds a tasty ball in the area, but misses the shot, Verbruggen touches it, who then does well to block the Inter striker.

47′ – GAKPO! GOAL! 1-1 Holland! Koeman’s team equalizes immediately. Great counterattack, led by Xavi Simons, perfect pass to Gakpo, who comes in from the left onto the right and beats Pentz.

59′ – SCHMID! GOAL! 2-1 Austria. Holland badly behind. Sabitzer starts the action, the ball goes left to Grillitsch who crosses into the middle, where Schmid rushes in and heads it home.

78′ – GOAL! 2-2 HOLLAND. Depay scores. Ball inside, aerial pass by Weghorst, control and right-wing conclusion by Depay. Goal initially disallowed and then awarded after VAR check.

80′ – CRAZY MATCH! GOAL! 3-2 AUSTRIA. Great ball inside from Baumgartner for SABITZER, who beats Verbruggen with his left foot from a very complicated position. WHAT A GOAL.

It had been 34 years since Austria had beaten the Netherlands and in the last seven matches they had lost seven times.

Marcel SABITZER – Great performance from the Austrian midfielder. He paints football between the lines, plays two touches, always insidious and intelligent. And then he scores the 3-2 goal.

Donyell MALEN – The own goal that puts Austria ahead, a clumsily wasted opportunity. Several ideas did not come to fruition. In short, a bad evening for the Borussia Dortmund winger.