Poland v Austria LIVE: Result and reaction as Marko Arnautovic scores penalty to seal key victory
Poland 1-3 Austria: Robert Lewandowski returned from the bench but his side’s hopes of reaching the last-16 suffered a major blow with defeat
Austria secured a 3-1 victory over Poland in their Euro 2024 Group D match to renew hopes of a top-two finish and a spot in the knockout stage while leaving their opponents in last place with no points and only a slim chance of advancing.
In a furious start, the Austrians, now on three points from two matches - as many as France and Netherlands who meet later on Friday - applied early pressure and it paid off in the ninth minute with Gernot Trauner’s powerful header at the near post.
Poland, who have now lost both of their matches, levelled through Krzysztof Piatek’s his second attempt in the box after his first effort was blocked on the half-hour mark.
Fit-again Poland striker Robert Lewandowski came on in the 60th minute but it was Austria who scored twice more, first with a flowing move and Christoph Baumgartner finish just inside the box in the 66th and a Marco Arnautovic penalty 12 minutes later.
Follow all the reaction to Poland v Austria below, and catch the latest updates from France vs Netherlands in Group D here
This is why Ralf Rangnick turned down Bayern Munich - Austria can cause a real Euro 2024 upset
So this is why Ralf Rangnick rejected Bayern Munich. Euro 2024’s oldest manager could have taken charge of the biggest German club but rejected them to stay with Austria. Instead, he may be coaching for a little longer in his homeland this summer. A stirring victory gave Austria a fighting chance of reaching the last 16.
For Christoph Baumgartner, there was a seismic strike to accompany his statistical marvel. In March he scored what appears the fastest goal in the history of international football. After that six-second effort against Slovakia, a goal in the 66th minute felt slovenly, but it was also well-taken and decisive, putting Austria ahead.
Then came what could prove the final blow for Poland. Penalties had taken them to Euro 2024, with Wojciech Szczesny’s shootout save from Wales’ Dan James deciding their play-off. A penalty gave Austria a cushion. It was conceded by Szczesny, with Marko Arnautovic then beating him from 12 yards.
And so Austria, narrowly defeated by France, with the Netherlands to come, can glimpse the last 16. They got there in Euro 2020, but from a lesser group, playing duller football. This, however, was the Rangnick revolution put into practice, Germany’s original gegenpresser showing what he can do on the international stage.
This is why Rangnick turned down Bayern - Austria can cause real Euros upset
Poland 1-3 Austria: Marko Arnautovic wrapped up the win with a penalty which leaves the Poles facing a huge task to avoid elimination
Netherlands v France LIVE
Attention now turns to tonight’s game, and what a game it could be.
The Netherlands face France in the other match in Group D, with both looking to grab another three points to seal a place in the last 16.
You can follow the live text from that game below.
FULL-TIME! Poland 1-3 Austria
Here’s that brilliantly worked goal from Christoph Baumgartner for Austria’s second.
Next matches
So Austria will face the Netherlands in a potentially huge game on Tuesday, 25 June at 8pm BST. They will meet in Berlin, with both potentially being on three points (if the Netherlands lose tonight), so they may essentially be battling it out for second place in the group.
Poland will face France on the same evening at the same time, with that match taking place in Dortmund. Poland are all but out of contention for the last 16 now.
Group D standings
Here’s how Group D looks now, with France playing the Netherlands in around an hour.
1 - France - 3 points, GD + 1 (played one)
2 - Netherlands - 3 points, GD +1 (played one)
3 - Austria - 3 points, GD +1
4 - Poland - 0 points, GD -3
FULL-TIME! Poland 1-3 Austria
Euro 2024: Poland 1-3 Austria
94 mins
It’s a procession in the final couple of minutes as both teams wait for it to end.
The final whistle goes and Austria have a brilliant win and a vital three points! Their match against the Netherlands should be very interesting now, and they’ve done their ‘dark horses’ tag no harm in Berlin.
Euro 2024: Poland 1-3 Austria
93 mins
CLOSE! A great chance out of nowhere for Poland. It’s an inviting cross from the right towards the back post and Grosicki is unmarked, but he can only skew his volley wide.
Euro 2024: Poland 1-3 Austria
91 mins
Austria are still driving forward, led by Laimer again this time, but his attempted pass to Gregoritsch is overhit.
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