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Austria1 - 2Turkey

sportsmole.co.uk, 2 July 2024, 21:46
Turkey survived a nerve-wracking finale to book their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals thanks to a 2-1 victory over Austria in Tuesday's last-16 clash at the Red Bull Arena.

The Euro 2008 semi-finalists needed just 57 seconds to get off the mark through Merih Demiral, who scored the quickest knockout goal ever seen at the men's Euros before remarkably doubling his tally in the second period.

A Michael Gregoritsch header not long after Demiral completed his brace triggered a gripping finale, in which Turkey's defenders stood tall to set up a quarter-final showdown with the Netherlands this weekend.

Here, Sports Mole provides player ratings from Turkey's absorbing triumph in Leipzig.

Austria player ratings vs. Turkey: Night to forget for Marko Arnautovic

GOALKEEPER

Patrick Pentz - 6/10

Inexplicably palmed the ball right into Demiral's path for the opening goal and could only flap at the centre-back's header for his second. Made a crucial save from Baris Yilmaz right at the death, though.

DEFENCE

Stefan Posch - 7/10

Also culpable for Turkey's 57-second strike but was central to a lot of Austria's positive attacking play thereafter, heading on Marcel Sabitzer's corner for Gregoritsch to head in. Probably his nation's best player over the course of 90 minutes.

Kevin Danso - 6/10

Mostly reliable in the air but not when it mattered most for Demiral's second of the evening. Nice passing range, though.

Philipp Lienhart - 4/10

Also bullied by Demiral for Turkey's second goal and was lucky not to receive a second yellow just before his inevitable substitution.

Phillipp Mwene - 5/10

Was far from disastrous out on the left - both defensively and offensively - but Rangnick still saw fit to take him off at half time.

MIDFIELD

Nicolas Seiwald - 7/10

Easily Austria's best player in the first half, stepping in with a few key tackles and interceptions to thwart some Turkish attacks. Not as effective in the second, especially going forwards.

Konrad Laimer - 6/10

Some nice touches here and there and one eye-catching dribble to fashion a second-half chance, but his finish was off. Average and nothing more.

Marcel Sabitzer - 6/10

A very mixed evening for the Borussia Dortmund man; a couple of set-pieces on the money - one for his nation's only goal - and another batch going to waste. In fact, only two of his 15 deliveries were accurate throughout the 90.

ATTACK

Romano Schmid - 5/10

His awful corner almost led to an immediate equaliser for Austria, but he did nothing else of note. Was booked and taken off at half time.

Christoph Baumgartner - 6/10

Did not cover himself in glory for Demiral's goal but took the fight to Turkey in the aftermath, albeit unsuccessfully. How Gunok kept out his late header may still be beyond him.

Marko Arnautovic - 3/10

More fouls (three) than shots (two) for the Austrian veteran, who should have lifted the ball over Gunok but instead went for the bottom corner and was thwarted. A forgettable evening.

SUBSTITUTES

Michael Gregoritsch - 7/10

Replaced Schmid in the Austria attack and had an immediate impact with his thumping finish to cut the deficit in half. Incredible impact and should have certainly started.

Alexander Prass - 6/10

Came on for Mwene in the second half and provided a moderate threat down the left flank, but was wasteful in possession at times too.

Florian Grillitsch - 6/10

A presence in the Austria midfield during his 30-minute cameo and tried his luck a couple of times, but like most of his teammates, no cutting edge.

Maximilian Wober - 6/10

Accurate with his passing and fashioned a couple of chances during a respectable half-hour showing.

Turkey player ratings vs. Austria: Defender produces perfect display

GOALKEEPER

Mert Gunok - 9/10

If his stop from Arnautovic was brilliant, the 35-year-old's majestic leap to keep out Baumgartner was no doubt the save of the tournament so far. Could do nothing for Austria's goal either.

DEFENCE

Mert Muldur - 6/10

Worked incredibly hard down the right-hand side but had little attacking impact. Put in some strong challenges at the other end, though.

Kaan Ayhan - 8/10

An immovable force in the Turkish defence with 11 clearances as Austria upped the ante. Worthy of the captain's armband

Merih Demiral - 10/10

Capitalised on the early corner chaos with a thumping strike into the roof of the net and now holds the record for the quickest-ever knockout goal at the European Championships. Leapt highest for an unexpected second and made no fewer than 17 clearances. One of the easiest 10s we will give.

Abdulkerim Bardakci - 8/10

Excelled alongside his fellow defenders in the three-man wall and also hit double figures in clearances as Austria put in cross after cross without success.

Ferdi Kadioglu - 8/10

Easy to see why Arsenal are reportedly pushing to bring him to England - both offensively and defensively he was a real force to be reckoned with all evening.

MIDFIELD

Ismail Yuksek - 7/10

Deservedly kept his place in the Turkey XI and was an effective midfield screen inside the first 45 minutes before being taken off early in the second. Booked.

Orkun Kokcu - 6/10

Always available and never stopped running for Turkey but lacked an end product. Picked up either a hamstring issue or cramp when making a clearance late on. Yellow-carded.

ATTACK

Arda Guler - 8/10

While not his best corner in the first minute, it proved to be an incredibly effective delivery from the Real Madrid protege, who once again caught the eye with some nifty first-half footwork. Provided another brilliant assist for Demiral in the second half. Not sure if it has been said before, but this kid is something special.

Kenan Yildiz - 5/10

Outclassed by his fellow teenager Guler in the Turkey attack; no shots or chances created for the Juventus youngster in a quiet display.

Baris Yilmaz - 5/10

Overhit a simple cross to Yildiz which would have almost certainly led to a second for Turkey inside the first half, then spurned a golden chance for a 3-1 lead right at the death. Was lively, though.

SUBSTITUTES

Salih Ozcan - 5/10

The game mostly passed him by, but he contributed to the rearguard effort with a couple of critical interceptions.

Kerem Akturkoglu - 5/10

Brought on for the final 15 minutes for a pair of fresh legs.

Okay Yokuslu - 6/10

Helped to shore up the Turkey backline and won his only two duels.

Irfan Kahveci - N/A

Touched the ball once.

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