Turkey has advanced to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Austria at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. The hero of the match was defender Merih Demiral, who scored both goals for Turkey, continuing his unexpected goal-scoring form in the tournament.Demiral’s first goal, scored just 57 seconds into the match, set a new record for the fastest goal in the knockout stages of a European Championship. His second goal came in the 59th minute, both headers from corner kicks, showcasing Turkey’s prowess in set-pieces. Austria’s Michael Gregoritsch managed to score a consolation goal in the 66th minute, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.The match was marked by intense play from both sides, with Turkey’s defense and goalkeeper Mert Günok making crucial saves to maintain their lead. Despite Austria’s strong finish and attempts to equalize, Turkey’s resilience paid off.This victory marks Turkey’s third time reaching the quarterfinals in the European Championship. The team, led by coach Vincenzo Montella, will now face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals on July 6 at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.The win sparked jubilant celebrations across Turkey. In the city of Burdur, fans formed a convoy of cars and gathered in Cumhuriyet Square, singing the Izmir March and chanting slogans. Local resident Mehmet Furkan Doğan expressed pride in the team, saying, ‘We’ve always believed in our national team. We trust our young players. They played a great game today, showed their spirit’.The Turkish team’s performance has been praised by fans and critics alike, with their fast-paced game and strategic use of set pieces proving decisive. As Turkey prepares to face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, the nation’s hopes for Euro 2024 glory continue to rise.
Key points
- Turkey defeated Austria 2-1 in the Euro 2024 round of 16, advancing to the quarterfinals.
- Merih Demiral scored both goals for Turkey, including the fastest goal in European Championship knockout stage history.
- Turkey will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals on July 6 in Berlin.
- The victory sparked widespread celebrations across Turkey.
Contradictions👾There is a minor discrepancy in the reported time of Demiral’s second goal, with some sources stating it was in the 59th minute, while others report it as the 14th minute of the second half.
This could be due to different ways of reporting time in football matches.
