Merih Demiral was Turkey’s unlikely hero with each objectives in a 2-1 win over Austria on Tuesday that booked their place within the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. The Al-Ahli centre-back smashed residence after simply 58 seconds and produced a towering header on the hour mark to double Turkey’s lead. Michael Gregoritsch rapidly pulled a purpose again for Austria and solely a shocking save from Mert Gunok denied Christoph Baumgartner a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage-time. Turkey advance to face the Netherlands within the final eight in Berlin on Saturday. Austria had emerged as darkish horses to go far on the perceived weaker aspect of the draw after topping a bunch together with France and the Netherlands.

Ralf Rangnick’s aspect had additionally thrashed Turkey 6-1 in a pleasant in March, however this time they did not get better from a nightmare begin.

Actual Madrid’s Arda Guler was a relentless risk to the Austrian defence and his teasing supply from a nook brought about chaos inside the primary minute.

Baumgartner’s clearance off the road hit team-mate Stefan Posch, goalkeeper Patrick Pentz clawing it out to Demiral, who lashed into the roof of the web for the second quickest purpose ever at a European Championship.

Turkey’s raucous followers exploded in a deafening celebration, however they had been practically introduced again right down to earth right away.

Baumgartner fired inches vast kind the sting of the field earlier than Demiral someway prevented the RB Leipzig midfielder from scoring at his residence floor as a harmful Austrian nook flashed throughout purpose.

Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella mentioned that absent captain Hakan Calhanoglu, who was lacking resulting from suspension, was “irreplaceable.”

Nevertheless, Guler assumed duty within the playmaking position and practically produced a shocking second for his aspect with an audacious try from the midway line that drifted vast.

Solely Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands have had a better successful proportion in European soccer since Rangnick took cost of Austria two years in the past.

Gunok to the rescue

The previous Manchester United boss made two modifications at half-time, together with the introduction of Gregoritsch, who scored a hat-trick when the edges met three months in the past.

Rangnick received the response he desired as Austria started chopping by means of the Turkish defence.

Gunok unfold himself brilliantly to disclaim Marko Arnautovic when one-on-one earlier than Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer lacked the end to a advantageous run by means of the center.

Nevertheless, they did not study their lesson from Guler corners as one other inviting supply was powered residence by Demiral.

In doing so the 26-year-old turned the primary European defender to attain twice within the knockout phases of a significant match since Lillian Thuram for France on the 1998 World Cup.

It was additionally a set-piece on the different finish that received Austria again within the recreation seven minutes later.

Posch flicked on Marcel Sabitzer’s nook for Gregoritsch to brush excessive into the web.

A torrential downpour couldn’t drown out a sensational environment in Leipzig, with Turkey’s big expat inhabitants in Germany once more making it like a house recreation for Montella’s males.

The fervent environment turned bitter as Sabitzer was struck by an object thrown from the group as he ready to take a nook.

Baris Alper Yilmaz was denied a 3rd for Turkey by a advantageous save from Pentz in stoppage-time.

That almost proved essential as Gunok then needed to produce a outstanding cease to forestall Baumgartner’s downward header discovering the far nook.

It was an unimaginable save paying homage to England keeper Gordon Banks’ iconic cease from Pele within the 1970 World Cup.

However Turkey stood agency amid an aerial bombardment from Austria to achieve the quarter-finals of a significant match for the primary time since Euro 2008.

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