Austria has emerged as the top team in Group D at Euro 2024, following a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Netherlands, with Marcel Sabitzer scoring the winning goal in the 80th minute. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring an own goal by the Netherlands’ Donyell Malen, which set the tone for an intense battle. The Netherlands managed to equalize twice, with goals from Cody Jakobs, also known as Cody Gakpo, and Memphis Depay, but it was not enough to secure the win. Austria’s Romano Schmid also contributed to the scoreboard, adding to the tension of the match. In the same group, France and Poland drew 1-1, with superstars Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski each scoring a penalty for their respective teams. France’s draw, coupled with Austria’s win, placed France in second position in the group, while Poland, with a single point, finished last. The Netherlands, despite the loss, qualified for the quarterfinals as one of the top third-placed teams, thanks to their four points. Austria’s fans celebrated their team’s success with chants of ‘Gruppensieger’ (group winners) and ‘Oh, wie ist das schön’ (Oh, how beautiful it is) after the final whistle, reflecting the joy of a nation proud of its team’s accomplishment. Austria now looks ahead to their next challenge in the knockout stages, where they could face Turkey, the Czech Republic, or Georgia.
Key points
- Austria secured the top spot in Group D with a dramatic 3-2 win against the Netherlands, highlighted by Marcel Sabitzer’s late goal.
- France and Poland ended in a 1-1 draw, with France securing second place in the group and Poland finishing last.
- The Netherlands, despite the loss, advanced to the quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed teams.
