Austria 1-2 Turkey: Merih Demiral’s sends Turkey by means of to quarters

A wild, raw, febrile night of tournament football as it should be – teams playing as if their lives depended upon it and many, many people in red, frantically bouncing up and down in the rain.

The outstanding game of the round of 16, no less – decided at the death by a save from the heavens by Turkish goalkeeper Mert Gunok, launching himself to claw away Christoph Baumgartner’s goal-bound header.

When it was put to Ralf Rangnick, the Austria manager whose reputation has undergone a rehabilitation here, that the save was in the bracket of Gordon Banks from Pele at Guadalajara in June 1970, he replied simply: ‘This is correct.’ 

Digesting an elimination Austria simply had not expected, he observed: ‘We tried to score but it’s difficult if you’ve got Gordon Banks in the goal.’

Austria came with their engineered pressing method, put in place by Rangnick, and a hell of a lot of belief, given the 6-1 swatting they’d given the Turks in Vienna in March. 

Merih Demiral (pictured) scored twice to help Turkey seal a 2-1 victory against Austria 

The victory means that Turkey will play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 

Demiral (left) netted from close range to give his side a 1-0 lead after 57 seconds – the fastest goal ever at the knockout stages of the European Championship

But Turkey had something unquantifiable, unpredictable, feverish even – borne of a force of support in this country which has been with them all along. 

They started with two teenagers in their number – the first team to do so at these finals since 1964 – and met fire with fire, pace with pace, energy with unrelenting energy.

They upended Austria’s method from the start, scoring after 56 seconds when Rangnick’s defence engaged in a scene of comical pinball defending from a corner, allowing Merih Demiral to slaps the ball in from close range.

It wasn’t without for the want for trying after that for ‘Das Team’, as the Austrians are imaginatively known. ‘Wreck it Ralf’ had become accustomed to wearing sides down, recovering from setbacks through personal acts of motivation or subtle tactical shifts. 

Demiral would find the back of the net again in the second half, doubling his side’s lead with a header

Austria pulled one back not long after with Michael Gergoritsch (R) tapping in at the back post 

Austria continued to press for a late equaliser, but could not convert their chances 

Mert Gunok produced this sensational save to deny Austria an equaliser in the dying embers

Marko Arnautovic (left) and his side cut heartbroken figures at the end of the match 

Austria were backed as one of the favourites to make it to the quarters but were stunned 

He sent his team out early for the second half, with a new 4-3-3 formation. The man they once called ‘the Professor’ wastes no time.

But Turkey stood a line of five defenders in Austria’s way and as the night wore, it became an increasing struggled to breach it. The line-breaking pass, clinical finish, or moment of genius were not there. 

‘The only thing I would reproach ourselves over was we didn’t make enough of our chances and we didn’t defend well in the set-pieces,’ Rangnick said.

The vulnerability from corners allowed Demiral to haul himself above the centre halves to head in a second. 

Austria responded – Stefan Posch nodding Marcel Sabitzer’s whipped corner to unmarked Michael Gregoritsch. And then, a finish resembling a scene from a rain-drenched Alamo. 

Vincenzo Montella (left of centre) raised his fist in the air as his side celebrated the victory 

Turkey gathered on the centre circle as they celebrated the victory, as their players jumped up and down and celebrated the win

Turkey have brought a monumental fusion of both fans and players to the tournament

‘I’ve seen other games where it was hard to stay awake and it wasn’t the case with ours.’ Rangnick reflected. Fair comment.

So it will be Turkey and their carnival who face the Netherlands in Berlin on Sunday. 

They have brought fine football and poor football to this tournament in equal measure but this energy – this monumental fusion of fans and players – is some force to be reckoned with.