Marcel Sabitzer’s eightieth minute winner over the Netherlands secured Ralf Rangnick’s facet high spot in Group D with a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Starting the match in third place, Austria’s last spot is simply reward for a victory which was created by the depth they performed with from the primary whistle in what might be among the many video games of the event.
Donyell Malen put the ball in his personal web to set off the scoring, however Ronald Koeman shifting full again Lutsharel Geertruida into midfield at half time modified the sport and after Cody Gakpo’s purpose levelled issues, they might simply have taken the lead.
The character of this Austrian facet was proven by them using out this storm to take the lead on the hour mark from Romano Schmid after which as soon as extra from the captain Sabitzer, when many sides would have misplaced coronary heart following Memphis Depay’s equaliser, which was disallowed initially for a handball.
The win means Austria high Group D on six factors, adopted by France on 5 and the Netherlands assured a third-place end on 4.
Speaking Level – Austria might be the story of the event
Austria profitable the group was an incredible shock, at the beginning of the event and earlier than this match, however it’s removed from undeserved.
They may simply have secured some extent from the primary match in opposition to France, have been thrilling in opposition to Poland and exhilarating at instances on this contest which, it ought to be taken under consideration, they might have performed out in a draw and been sure of taking part in within the final 16.
Their experience in making use of the press just isn’t a shock given the godfather of the system Ralf Ragnick is their coach, however to be such a pressure with out key males David Alaba, goalkeeper Alexander Schlager and Xavier Schlager has been an incredible problem.
And now they’re trying like a path to the semi-final which might undergo the runner-up in Group F (at current Turkey) after which maybe Belgium or one other facet from Group E.
The Wunderteam in 1934 and Austria’s facet in 1954 reached the semi-finals of the World Cup however they haven’t been near doing this since then. It may but occur this time round.
Participant of the Match – Romano Schmid (Austria)
He epitomised the whole lot which was robust concerning the Austrian efficiency and is somewhat unlucky his excellent headed purpose, which put his facet 2-1 in entrance, might be eclipsed by Marcel Sabitzer’s sensible winner. His work-rate was distinctive with and with out the ball, closing down the Dutch on the left after which discovering area when his staff received the ball – and remaining cool in possession.
Participant Rankings
Netherlands: Verbruggen 5; Geertruida 6, De Vrij 5, Van Dijk 6, Ake 6; Schouten 6, Veerman 6; Malen 4, Reijnders 6, Gakpo 7; Depay 8.
Subs: Simons 7, van de Ven 6, Wijnaldum 6, Weghorst 7.
Austria: Pentz 7; Posch 7, Lienhart 8, Wober 7, Prass 8; Seiwald 7, Grillitsch 7; Schmid 9*, Sabitzer 8*, Wimmer 7; Arnautovic 7.
Subs: Baumgartner 8, Laimer 6, Querfeld 6, Gregoritsch 6. Weimann.
Match Highlights
6′ GOAL! NETHERLANDS 0-1 AUSTRIA (MALEN OG)! You’ll be able to’t say Austria do not deserve it however a really unusual purpose as Prass seems to be to sq. to Arnautovic within the field and Malen monitoring again slides in and divert it contained in the close to publish.
14′ GREAT CHANCE FOR REIJNDERS! Depay performed in Reijnders and he handed large to Gakpo who returned the ball contained in the penalty space, however the Milan man skewed his effort horribly and it flew nicely large.
24′ MALEN MISSES GREAT CHANCE TO LEVEL! Depay with a stunning contact to Reijnders and Malen, via on purpose, scuffs his shot which drifts large of the goal.
47′ GOAL! NETHERLANDS (GAKPO) 1-1 AUSTRIA! Geertruida, who was moved into midfield at half time, received the ball from Grillitsch after which performed in Simons. He took the ball to 30 yards out earlier than taking part in in Gakpo whose curling end from simply contained in the left hand facet of the penalty space was good.
59′ GOAL! NETHERLANDS 1-2 AUSTRIA (SCHMID)! Grillitsch’s cross from the by-line discovered Schmid eight yards out and he powered the ball low previous Verbruggen and De Vrij couldn’t clear the ball off the road.
78′ GOAL! NETHERLANDS (DEPAY) 2-2 AUSTRIA! Weghorst received up highest to nod right down to the Atletico Madrid ahead who managed the ball on his thigh (not together with his hand) and volleyed house.
80′ GOAL! NETHERLANDS 2-3 AUSTRIA (SABITZER)! A wonderful through-ball from Baumgartner discovered the midfielder via on purpose and from a good angle he lashed the ball excessive into the web above Verbruggen.
84′ BALL IN THE NET….BUT OFFSIDE! And once more Verbruggen is overwhelmed on the close to publish. This time Baumgartner appeared like he would sq. the ball earlier than squeezing it contained in the keeepr’s close to publish.
86′ WEGHORST NOT FAR AWAY FROM AN EQUALISER! An extended deep cross from Geertruida and Weghorst nearly emulated Robin van Persie’s well-known flying header in opposition to Spain however the ball flew a yard too excessive.
