Netherlands 2 – 3 Austria

Austria deservedly edged a five-goal thriller in opposition to the Netherlands to qualify for the final 16 of Euro 2024 as Group D winners.

Ralf Rangnick’s well-organised and spectacular facet have been twice pegged again in an entertaining contest in Berlin however Marcel Sabitzer had the ultimate say 10 minutes from time.

A Donyell Malen personal objective gave Austria an early lead with Romano Schmid placing them again in entrance after a Cody Gakpo leveller.

Memphis Depay scored the Netherlands’ second equaliser but it surely was not sufficient as Austria ended up leapfrogging each them and runners-up France, who have been held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in Dortmund.

How Austria upset the chances to win Group D

Each nations knew development to the final 16 was all however confirmed heading into their closing Group D fixture. The Netherlands’ spot within the subsequent spherical was already assured – at the least as probably the greatest third-placed groups – whereas Austria knew even a defeat would see them qualify in third until they misplaced by a five-goal margin.

However with the highest two positions within the group nonetheless up for grabs, each side needed to complete with a victory and it was Austria who seemed set to just do that when Malen diverted Alexander Prass’ harmful cross into his personal internet within the sixth minute.

Rangnick’s facet continued to impress each out and in of possession however the Netherlands responded properly and will have equalised halfway by means of the primary half, just for Malen to tug a shot extensive when performed by means of by Tijjani Reijnders, who had earlier missed the goal himself.

Austria remained harmful and virtually doubled their benefit late within the half, however Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen saved out Sabitzer’s long-range drive earlier than Marko Arnautovic didn’t make contact with the ball from a number of yards out after Florian Grillitsch’s effort was deflected into his path.

The Austrians deservedly led at half-time however the Netherlands hit again instantly after the break. Lutsharel Geertruida’s wonderful deal with gave first-half substitute Xavi Simons the prospect to drive ahead and his closing cross was rounded off emphatically by Liverpool ahead Gakpo (47).

The Dutch had lastly gained some momentum however they weren’t stage for lengthy. Their equaliser didn’t faze Austria and so they retook the lead by means of Schmid, who headed in Grillitsch’s pinpoint cross by way of a Stefan de Vrij deflection (59).

Depay thought he had introduced the Netherlands stage once more when he managed and volleyed in substitute Wout Weghorst’s knock-down within the seventy fifth minute, just for the objective to be instantly dominated out for handball. Nevertheless, replays confirmed that was not the case and referee Ivan Kruzliak overturned his choice after being suggested by the VAR to assessment the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Whereas the Dutch had hopes of discovering a late winner, Austria had different concepts and went forward for the third time within the match simply 5 minutes later by means of Sabitzer, who was performed by means of exquisitely by substitute Christoph Baumgartner earlier than smashing an effort previous Verbruggen from the tightest of angles.

There was nonetheless time for Baumgartner to have a objective disallowed for offside and Weghorst to ship a diving header over the bar earlier than the nation ranked twenty fifth on the earth have been confirmed as Group D winners, with the Netherlands having to settle as probably the greatest third-placed qualifiers.

Rangnick: An unimaginable feat to complete prime

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick mentioned: “We deserved to win ultimately. Total, we had the better will to win and an excessive power output on the pitch, which you would really feel in each part of the match.

“The way in which we reacted to the targets we conceded, that we did not bend, that we stayed true to our type of play and continually saved in search of out our probabilities going ahead.

“It is unimaginable to complete prime of a bunch that was the toughest attainable primarily based on UEFA coefficients.

“We began with an unfortunate personal objective in opposition to France, handled all of the stress placed on us to win in opposition to Poland, after which to finish as group winners is one thing very particular.”

Koeman: We deserved to lose

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman mentioned: “We began very badly in lots of facets. There have been many openings for the opponent. We weren’t aggressive and there was an absence of stress on the opponents.

“It was very dangerous. We didn’t management the match early. Afterward we carried out barely higher and we had a number of alternatives, however they punished us.

“Now we have to take duty on the pitch; we’re not entitled to get a greater outcome.

“We knew earlier than the match that if we end third we’d get a giant nation within the subsequent spherical. We’ll wait and see what occurs.”

Evaluation: Harmful Austria will not concern anybody

Sky Sports activities’ Dan Sansom:

Ralf Rangnick admitted there was doubt among the many gamers when he was employed as Austria’s supervisor in 2022, however the 65-year-old has now led the nation to back-to-back wins at a significant event for the primary time because the 1982 World Cup – and he is executed so in fantastic type.

Often known as one of many godfathers of “gegenpressing”, the German has left a everlasting mark on fashionable soccer and Austria’s present squad is excelling beneath his steerage.

Their aggressive, front-foot method noticed them carry out properly in a slim loss to France and extra eye-catching shows adopted in deserved wins over Poland and the Netherlands.

Whereas Austria’s tireless operating and fluid motion brought on the Dutch fixed issues in Berlin, their never-say-die perspective – instilled by Rangnick – was equally as spectacular.

Many will view a rustic ranked twenty fifth on the earth as a shock bundle at this event, however Austria have now misplaced simply twice in 19 matches.

Rangnick’s facet are a pressure to be reckoned with. They will not concern anybody within the knockout stage.

Who faces who within the final 16?

Austria will face the runners-up in Group F (at present Turkey) within the final 16, with France dealing with the runners-up in Group E (at present Belgium).

The Netherlands’ subsequent opponents usually are not but confirmed. They might face Group B winners Spain, Group C winners England or Group E winners (at present Romania).

As soon as the 4 finest third-placed groups have been decided, UEFA then allocates every nation to a last-16 tie according to its rules.

How does rating third-placed groups work?

The highest two groups from every of the six teams will proceed to the spherical of 16.

These 12 sides can be joined by 4 of the six third-placed finishers within the teams. The perimeters ending third can be positioned right into a league desk, with the highest 4 sides progressing to the final 16.

The groups that end third of their respective teams are ranked so as of the next standards, beginning with:

1. Factors
2. Objective distinction
3. Objectives scored
4. Wins
5. Decrease disciplinary factors whole
6. European Qualifiers total rating

The event then strikes to a straight knockout format, with one-legged ties – together with extra-time and penalties if obligatory – till two sides attain the ultimate on July 14 in Berlin.

Opta stats: Sabitzer makes historical past for Austria

• Marcel Sabitzer turned the primary Austrian to play 10 matches on the European Championships, scoring his first objective within the competitors from his twenty second shot.
• Austria have ended a run of seven consecutive defeats to the Netherlands in all competitions, with this their first victory since a 3-2 pleasant win in 1990.
• Austria scored their sixth objective at Euro 2024, their most in any version of the European Championships and their most in a significant event because the 1978 World Cup.
• Cody Gakpo has scored 5 of the Netherlands’ final eight group-stage targets at main tournaments, with no different Dutch participant netting greater than as soon as in these matches.

Stats: Story of the match

Group D closing outcomes…