Netherlands 2-3 Austria
A Berlin meeting of red and orange at Euro 2024 which had various permutations.
Holland were already guaranteed their place in the last 16, but presumably wanted to top their group ahead of France, while Austria knew victory would help them at least finish in the top two, while a point would be sufficient to secure at least a top-four third-placed finish.
All that remained was to see whether the Euro 2024 highlights would belong to the nation which won the tournament last time it was held on German soil (in 1988) or a team considered by many to be the ‘dark horses’.
Highlights of the game
Certainly, Austria hadn’t figured in the top eight when it came to the SBOTOP Euro 2024 betting odds but they had quietly impressed over the past week when a narrow defeat to the French was followed by Ralf Rangnick’s men overpowering Poland.
That was when Marko Arnautovic, emboldened with the captain’s armband, crowned victory for the tournament’s surprise package from the penalty spot in a Christoph Baumgartner-inspired victory.
Dark horses may not have had much pedigree historically. Austria certainly haven’t in modern times — since the 1954 World Cup, when they finished third, they have only reached one knockout stage of any international tournament.
But in Baumgartner (a substitute here), Marcel Sabitzer, Patrick Wimmer and perennial strutting talisman Arnautovic, Austria boasted an impressive quartet.
Then there was one man on familiar turf, the defensive ball-winning shield Nicolas Seiwald, who has been very important to Rangnick’s side – even if the 23 year-old started just six league games for RB Leipzig this past season.
Rangnick handed starts to Max Wober, Alexander Prass, Romano Schmid and Wimmer, while there were three changes for Holland who deserved their point against France and could have claimed more but for a disallowed goal which was contentious to some.
Lutsharel Geertruida, Joey Veerman and Donyell Malen all started, with super sub Wout Weghorst again on the bench.
Just six minutes in and Austria had a dream start when a dangerous ball from Prass caused panic and winger Malen touched the ball into his own net.
A minute after the restart and the Dutch were level as Xavi Simons (on for Veerman) advanced and cleverly released Cody Gakpo who showed composure when required.
Just before the hour mark and Austria regained the lead as Schmid headed home a superb cross from Florian Grillitsch.
The Group D table was constantly changing and, with quarter of an hour remaining, the Oranje were level again as substitute Weghorst headed down for Memphis Depay to expertly finish – the goal standing after a lengthy VAR check.
Yet still Austria would not be denied and Baumgartner’s ball found Sabitzer (on loan with Weghorst at Manchester United during the second half of last season) and his glorious strike flew into the roof of the net.
With Poland drawing 1-1 with France, Austria had remarkably topped the group and gone from third to first.
No-one saw that coming and the delirious reaction of Austrians on the pitch and in the stands said it all.
This could be the moment which sparks lift-off for Rangnick and his team.
Key statistics
The own goal was the first Holland have ever conceded at a European Championships and was also the earliest own goal in the history of the tournament.
This was the first time Holland have lost a group game at a major tournament since the start of the 2014 World Cup – winning nine of their 11 outings until today.
Austria have won successive games at a major tournament for the first time since the 1982 World Cup (1-0 vs Chile, 2-0 vs Algeria).
What’s next?
It’s unclear who will play who yet but there is a high chance Holland will meet England. This is when the tournament starts to get really interesting!
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