Turkey is to face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Euro 2024 after winning a thriller with Austria 2-1 on Tuesday as both countries reached the last eight of a European Championship for the first time since 2008.
Merih Demiral was the unlikely hero for Turkey, in soaking Leipzig, after bundling his team ahead with less than a minute on the clock and then thumping in the decisive header just before the hour mark.
Vincenzo Montella’s side, who were missing suspended captain Hakan Calhanoglu, but once again backed by massive support at the Zentralstadion, would take on the Dutch in Berlin on Saturday after their comfortable 3-0 win over Romania earlier on Tuesday.
Photo: AFP
Turkey were beaten 6-1 by Austria in March, and Montella said he was hoping to get his own back for that embarrassing defeat.
“I denied it yesterday, but today I can admit that Austria was the team I wanted so that I could get rid of that stain that as a coach I had on me,” he said.
Turkey would again be able to count on their raucous fans in the German capital as they aim to replicate their run to the last four from 16 years ago.
Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen, with a brace in the second half, eased the Dutch through to the last eight.
Ronald Koeman’s side were heavily criticized after the 3-2 defeat to Austria that led the Oranje to finish third in Group D.
However, they were impressive on Tuesday, creating a handful of chances and running out deserved winners in at the Allianz Arena.
“We showed a good reaction from the last match and I’m very pleased... We took a step in the right direction today,” Liverpool forward Gakpo said. “It’s all about aggression and intensity and defending like a team, and I think it was a good step and an important one.”
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