Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Netherlands2 - 3Austria

sportsmole.co.uk, 25 June 2024, 17:58
Austria have qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2024 as Group D winners after beating the Netherlands 3-2 in a thriller at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Tuesday evening.

Ralf Rangnick's side were handed a tricky draw alongside the Oranje and France, but they have impressed many at this summer's tournament and have accumulated six points from a possible nine to upset the apple cart and finish top of the pile.

Austria have finished one point ahead of runners-up France, who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw with already-eliminated Poland, while the Netherlands - who were sitting at the summit heading into matchday three - were already guaranteed a place in the last 16, but they must now settle for one of the best third-placed spots.

Das Team were deserved winners against the Dutch courtesy of a hugely impressive all-round performance and they entered half time ahead thanks to an early own goal from Donyell Malen.

The Netherlands responded just 71 seconds after the break through Cody Gakpo, but Austria weathered an early second-half storm from the Oranje and regained the lead through Romano Schmid's powerful header.

Memphis Depay thought he had rescued a point for Koeman's side with a superb volley, but Marcel Sabitzer had the last laugh for Austria, firing into the roof of the net from a tight angle 10 minutes from time to seal a memorable win - their first over the Dutch since May 1990.

Dire Dutch own goal hands lively Austria deserved lead

Malen was one of three changes made to Koeman's starting lineup, with Joey Veerman and Lutsharel Geertruida also brought into the side as Denzel Dumfries, Jeremie Frimpong and Xavi Simons made way.

Koeman was hoping that Malen, in particular, would make an impact at the right end of the pitch, but the Borussia Dortmund man was instead the unfortunate one to divert the ball into his own net in the sixth minute.

The Netherlands struggled to get going in the early exchanges and were carved wide open down the left flank where Austria's Alexander Prass had plenty of joy throughout the contest.

Prass was in acres of space when he curled a dangerous low delivery into the penalty box; Malen tracked back well to meet the cross but he could only inadvertently slide the ball past a hapless Bart Verbruggen into his own net - the Oranje's first-ever own goal conceded at the European Championship.

Austria continued to pose a threat in the final third, while the Netherlands surprisingly looked lethargic and disjointed, and Koeman had seen enough 10 minutes before the break, replacing a furious Veerman with Simons.

Austria see out impressive win despite Dutch fightback

Koeman's half-time team talk certainly did the trick, as the Netherlands restored parity just 71 seconds after the interval, with substitute Simons feeding Gakpo down the left before the Liverpool forward cut inside and whipped a superb right-footed finish beyond Patrick Pentz.

Just as the Dutch looked to have taken control of proceedings, Austria regained the lead just before the hour mark courtesy of a thumping header from Schmid, after Florian Grillitsch did brilliantly to retain possession on the left before curling a delightful cross into the danger zone.

The Oranje barely threatened after Austria put themselves back in front and found it difficult to make inroads in the final third, but up stepped Depay in the 75th minute to direct a brilliant aerial volley into the far corner, with his strike surviving a check for handball by VAR.

As the enthralling contest continued to ebb and flow, it was Austria who ultimately possessed the cutting edge in the final third and snatched all three points just five minute later. Sabitzer broke down the left channel inside the penalty box before poking a smart finish into the roof of the net to send the Austrian supporters wild behind the goal.

Man of the Match - Marcel Sabitzer

A number of Austrians starred for Rangnick's side, but captain Sabitzer lead by example in midfield and ultimately scored the decisive goal to help Das Team win back-to-back matches at a major tournament for the first time since the 1982 World Cup.

What next for the Netherlands and Austria?

Austria's reward for topping Group D is a last-16 tie on July 1 against the runners-up of Group E, which as things stand will be one of four teams as Belgium, Ukraine, Romania and Slovakia are all locked on three points heading into matchday three on Wednesday.

As for the Netherlands, they could face a challenging last-16 clash against England if the Three Lions top Group C with a win over Slovenia later this evening.

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Rodri has seemingly opened the door to a future move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Premier League clubs are not renowned for their patience when firing managers, and we've already had our first sacking of 2024/25. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Returning to the Roma hotseat for a third spell in charge, Claudio Ranieri will lead the Giallorossi into Sunday's Serie A showdown with Napoli. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded that Ben White is likely to be out for months rather than weeks after undergoing an operation on his knee. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts believes that Gunners new boy Mikel Merino has been "unfairly judged" on some of his performances so far in the 2024-25 campaign. 22 November 2024 talksport.com What would you do if you first big break in football came with your fierce rivals? 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of the most unlikely matchups we could have anticipated heading into the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs will transpire on Sunday as Orlando City face Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semi-finals at Inter & Co Stadium. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano is set to be the new head coach of Inter Miami, according to reports. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to kick-start their Premier League campaigns after stalling before the international break, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace convene at Villa Park on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sean Dyche will look to extend his 100% record over Thomas Frank as Everton manager, when Brentford visit Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fourth meets fifth in Saturday's fascinating Premier League battle at the Emirates, as Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to the English capital. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a fifth win from six Premier League home games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth host the Seagulls in Saturday's top-flight affair at the Vitality Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City supporters were hoping that November's international break would provide some of the club's senior stars with an opportunity to step up their recovery from injury. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nice, aiming to maintain their current eight-game unbeaten streak in the league, are set to host Strasbourg at the STADIUM on Sunday night for matchday 12 of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea expect to have Cole Palmer fit for this weekend's Premier League encounter against Leicester City. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola reminded doubters of his commitment to the club by referencing his relegation claim of six months ago. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed defender Ben White will be sidelined for months after undergoing knee surgery. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League have announced that their partnership with IMG will end after 20 years for a new media operation. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has reportedly been the subject of an "audacious" bid from Leeds United. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams enjoying some superb form will meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, as Lazio and Bologna both aim to extend winning streaks in Serie A. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Erling Haaland sent out a warning shot to the Premier League as Manchester City aim to end their four match losing streak. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Maresca's King Power Stadium reunion takes place on Saturday lunchtime, as Leicester City and Chelsea prepare for battle in the Premier League's first game back after the international break. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final standings in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League groups have now been confirmed, and attention will now begin to switch to the knockout stage and playoff formats of the competition. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have suffered a defeat in their long-running legal battle with the Premier League, who have seen proposed changes to Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules approved by a majority of teams. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides battling against relegation from Ligue 1 are set to come together on Sunday afternoon when Nantes host Le Havre at Stade de la Beaujoire. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes head coach Borja Jimenez will have to make two changes to his starting XI for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raul Asencio is in line to make his full debut for Real Madrid in Sunday's La Liga clash with Leganes. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Michail Antonio's professional career has had plenty of unexpected twists and turns. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.