New Delhi: What an extra ordinary game of football as Turkey are through to the quarter finals after beating a stubborn Austrian side. Austria gave it their all but just couldn’t get the job done as Turkey preserved their fragile lead to progress through to joinj the elite eight of Europe. Turkiye were leading 1-0 at halftime thanks to an early goal from Demiral. It was a brilliant start for Turkey as the center-back scored from close range after just 57 seconds.
Austria almost immediately responded to a fast-paced start to the final round of 16 match as Baumgartner attempted to make up for his mistake on the opposite end, but his strong low shot missed the left-hand post by just a few inches. However, as the half progressed, their challenge waned and a young Turkish team began to play some fluid football and threaten to add a second.
After the first goal, Demiral scored again with a strong header in the second half, and immediately after, Turkish goalkeeper Gunok made a fantastic save to deny Austria from scoring immediately after conceding. On the sixty-sixth minute, it was Gregoritsch who cut Austria’s lead, to give Ragnick’s side some hope. However, despite going agonisingly close in their attempts of scoring the equalizer, the Austrians just couldn’t find a way to beat the Turkish goalkeeper.
In the end, Christoph Baumgartner thought hat he had scored to take the match to extra time but it was Gunok who made a wonderful save yet again at the death to confirm Turkey’s ticket to the quarter final against Netherlands.
The Turning point of the match
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – JULY 2: Goalkeeper Mert Gunok of Turkiye shouts during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Austria and Turkiye at Football Stadium Leipzig on July 2, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
There were a numerous factors that led to the outcome of the game and without a doubt it was Merih Demiral who made it happen for the Turkish side after scoring twice to send the Turks through to the quarter finals. However, the actual turning point and the key figure for Turkey was their goalkeeper Mert Gunok who proved to be a solid figure in between the sticks. Gunok made some unbelievable saves to deny a highly threatening Austrian side. Throughout the game, the Austrians kept the Turkish defence on their toes but above all, Gunok was there to back his defenders to save the day for the Turks.
The 35-year-old veteran made some crucial saves at certain important stages of the game as Gunok denied Arnautovic from close range when Posch slipped a low through ball into the box where Arnautovic took a first time shot that was brillieantly blocked by Gunok making a crucial stop in the 51st minute of the game. Austria had the chances to cut the deficit in the second half but it was Gunok who denied Baumgartner yet again.
However, his heroic performance just kept on getting better and at the very end of the game, it was Christoph Baumgartner yet again who had the perfect chance to level the score in the added time of 90 minutes aftr he headed the ball straight towards the Turkish goal where Gunok was there to react unbelievably and make a wonderful match winning save to send Turkey into the quarter finals against Netherlands.
Turkey make it through to the quarter finals of the UEFA Euro 2024 after defeating a stubborn and exciting Austrian side, who are left heartbroken as their wonderful journey comes to an end. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
