Austria 1-2 Turkey - Euro RECAP: Turks hold on to upset the odds (2024)

And just like that, the round of 16 is over...

Euro 2024 has been sensational, so far, and now we are onto the last eight, so surely it is going to get better.

Turkey ended this first round of the knockout stages in style by knocking out dark horse Austria in Leipzig.

Merih Demiral was clinical from corners, and then at the back he and his fellow defenders stayed strong to limit the Austrians to a solitary goal.

They will now meet the Netherlands who shipped three past Romania earlier tonight, it was the best they have looked all tournament.

Now we have two days off before the action gets underway again. So, rest up, relax your eyes, and get ready for another cracking round of footie.

It's time to say goodnight for now, but I will see you all in the quarter-finals.

Well then, next up for Turkey is a match-up with the Netherlands.

It's certainly a winnable one, the Netherlands were brilliant today but were beaten by Austria in the group stage.

If the Turks turn up as they did tonight, I foresee them causing Ronald Koeman's men a lot of problems.

The match is on Saturday night, so we don't have to wait too long for it.

I see it being a cracker!

Chris Sutton, It's All Kicking Off! co-host, on BBC Radio 5 Live:

Wow, just look at these celebrations!

Every Turkish fan in that stadium will never want to leave, they have witnessed something special tonight.

These scenes are a delight to see, the result means so much to everyone involved.

Watch, and enjoy.

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Leipzig:

Gaizka Mendieta, former Spain international, speaking on ITV1:

Ok, I didn't realise how many shots Austria actually had...

Boy, they pelted them at Turkey, I mean, really did pelt them. 21 in total, but only five on target.

That's compared to Turkey's six in total.

The only statistic that matters though is the scoreline, and that one is in Turkey's favour.

Austria should have been more clinical.

I still can't believe he pulled off this save.

It's almost like time stood still as Christoph Baumgartner connected with that header, it seemed destined for the back of the net.

I will never understand how Mert Gunok reacted so quickly to turn the ball past the post, and right at the death too.

A monumental save.

Sam Matterface, commentator, on ITV1:

Lee Dixon, former England international, on ITV1:

TURKEY HAVE DONE IT!

Every single Turkey player and staff player races over to Mert Gunok ads the whistle is blown for full-time.

They have him to thank that they have won this match, that save right at 6the death ensures they are in the last eight.

Their 16-year wait is over!

THAT IS WORLD CLASS, MERT GUNOK!

He somehow produces an incredible save to deny Christoph Baumgartner.

I was sure that the Austrian's header was in, but Gunok pulls out one of the best saves I have seen in a very long time.

That was the chance!

Patrick Pentz keeps Austria in it!

Baris Yilmaz is through, he looks set to fire in a third, but Pentz gets low to his left to deny him.

They aren't dead yet, Austria.

Christoph Baumgartner is everywhere at the moment, he is trying everything he can to find a leveller.

This time he gets on the end of a cross, but leaning back his header flies over the bar.

Time is running out.

Orkan Kocku has been struggling with cramp for the last few minutes and he cannot continue.

Irfan Can Kahveci has been called upon to fill in for the final few minutes.

And they are massive minutes...

A massive moment goes astray for Austria and Christoph Baumgartner.

Marcel Sabitzer sends in a lovely cross that goes all the way through to the winger, but it bounces heavily off his chest and the ball runs away from him.

A better touch, and maybe they would be level.

Sensing they need to stop the assault from Austria, Turkey are making some changes.

Kerem Akturkoglu and Okay Yokuslu enter the fray and replace Arda Guker and Kenan Yildiz.

Hello, hello... here we go!

Austria take just eight minutes to pull one back and it comes from the boot of substitute Michael Gregoritsch.

He gets on the end of Stefan Posch's flick-on from a corner and smashes the ball into the roof of the net.

Game on!

Ralf Rangnick has decided to respond with more changes.

Max Wober and Florian Grillitsch have joined the action, replacing Philipp Lienhart and Konrad Laimer.

Can they make a difference?

Merih Demiral does it again!

It's almost de ja vu as Arda Guler whips in a delightful corner and Demrial fires in from it.

This time he uses his head, rising above everybody else to guide the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

Could that be the goal to send Turkey through?

Now it's time for Turkey to make a change.

Ismail Yuksek is already on a yellow, so he is now being hooked.

His replacement? Salih Ozcan. Another player just one card away from suspension...

It's all Austria now really, they have ramped it up a level.

Konrad Laimer does brilliantly, waltzes past several defenders and into the box before sliding the ball wide.

It would have been some goal had it gone in.

The yellow card is back out of the referee's pocket.

This time it's shown to Philipp Lienhart as he clatters Arda Guler. Fully deserved booking.

That is a massive save from Mert Gunok to keep Turkey in front.

Mark Arnautovic is sent through and you just think he is about to draw Austria level.

But Gunok is out like a flash to smother the attacker and beat the ball away.

Unsurprisingly, Ralf Rangnick has decided to make some changes for the second half.

Michael Gregoritsch and Alexander Prass have been called upon to make change, replacing Romano Schmid, and Phillipp Mwene.

And now the ball is rolling once again.

You don't get many faster starts than this...

I had barely had a chance to settle down before Merih Demiral stuck Turkey in front.

Just listen to the roar from the Turkey fans as the ball hits the net though. Incredible.

Watch, and enjoy (unless you're Austrian).

Austria come close just before the whistle blows with Christoph Baumgartner prodding wide.

Just seconds later, the referee calls for the break.

Turkey walk down the tunnel with smiles on their faces as they lead at the interval thanks to Merih Demiral's strike inside 60 seconds.

The first 15 to 20 minutes really were electrifying from both sides, but the pace started to slow as the break approached.

This one has a lot more to come.

Yellow cards galore in Leipzig.

Ismail Yuksek is the next Turkey player to go into the referee's book. He halted Christoph Baumgartner as he tried to break away.

It means he would miss the last eight if Turkey make it there.

Now a booking for Austria.

It goes to Romano Schmid for a poor challenge on Ferdi Kadioglu. No complaints there.

A little frustration, perhaps?

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Leipzig:

Turkey, and Merih Demrial, are causing Austria so many problems from corners.

Arda Gulker curls in a lovely set-piece for Demiral to meet, and he rises to meet it well.

But he can't direct the ball on target, when really he should do better.

Now we have a yellow card, it is non-stop action.

Orkun Kokcu hacks down the lightning Christoph Baumgartner, who has been superb in these opening 11 minutes.

It means if Turkey go through, Kocku will be suspended.

My head is all over the place watching this, it's hard to keep up.

I'm not quite sure how Austria haven't just equalised...

A corner is sent in and misses nearly everyone. Christoph Baumgartner tries to turn it home from two yards out but gets smashed by a Turkey defender. No foul.

Another corner, though.

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Leipzig:

Nearly an instant response from Austria!

I can't quite believe what I am seeing here, this is sensational stuff.

Christoph Baumgartner doesn't want to wait long to get his side back on track and fires an effort inches wide of the post.

I thought that was In for a second. Incredible.

TURKEY TAKE THE LEAD INSIDE 60 SECONDS!

Austria are normally the fast starters, but they have conceded after just 57 seconds in Leipzig.

Merih Demiral sends the Turkey faithful wild, prodding home from a corner after Austria fail to clear.

What a start!

You can barely hear yourself think due to this atmosphere.

There are chants, and there are also jeers. It is extremely loud in there.

The whole crowd roars as Austria get proceedings underway!

Turkish hopes weigh on this man's shoulders, tonight...

Well, I say man, Arda Guler is more like a child still, he is still only 19 years of age.

But with Hakan Calhanoglu suspended, Guler will be the one expected to drive Turkey into the last eight.

Can he deliver on the big stage?

Victory for the Netherlands over Romania means there are now seven teams into the quarter-finals.

The line-up will be confirmed after the conclusion of tonight's clash.

Here's how the next round is looking:

France v Portugal - Friday, 5pm

Spain v Germany - Friday, 8pm

England v Switzerland - Saturday, 5pm

Netherlands v Austria or Turkey - Saturday, 8pm

UEFA have provided a handy team graphic showing who is playing where for both teams. Saves me working it out...

England are no longer favourites to win Euro 2024, according to Opta's latest supercomputer prediction.

Gareth Southgate's men had been tipped to lift the trophy in Berlin on July 14 but have struggled thus far.

So, who does Opta think will win it now?

Turkish supporters are everywhere in Leipzig. They look in the mood tonight... but can their team deliver on the pitch?

A lot at stake in Leipzig tonight. The winner will face either Romania or the Netherlands - and it looks pretty likely their opponents will be Ronald Koeman's Dutch team.

If you want to follow the closing stages of that game, click below.

There has been a lot of talk about Ralf Rangnick and the way he has got his Austria team playing in Germany.

Rangnick, of course, endured a miserable spell at Manchester United and our Football Editor Ian Ladyman has written this piece on why his coaching at this tournament doesn't change that.

Fans from both sides have been enjoying the build-up to the contest, which kicks off in a little under 90 minutes' time.

This should - should - be one of the better games of the tournament as these two teams were not afraid to go for it in the group stage.