Before the last game in Group D, Austria was guaranteed to go through only with a win over the Netherlands. They could still secure their place in the Round of 16 as the third-placed team, but that was never an intention of coach Ralf Rangnick.“Everything that concerns 3rd place is too complicated for me. I had a look at it once, but at some point, I gave up trying to understand what happens where” he said. Instead, he and his players just delivered when needed, secured a win, proved that their game against mighty France was not a fluke and secured not second but first place in Group D: Austria – Netherlands 3-2.67% – Two thirds (18/27) of all own goals scored in UEFA European Championship history have come in the last two editions – 11 in EURO 2020 and seven so far at #EURO2024. Blunder. pic.twitter.com/jnAuFLpDKs— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 25, 2024 Netherlands had already guaranteed a place in the last 16 and decided to rest Jeremie Frimpong, Denzel Dumfries and Xavi Simons, as Lutsharel Geertruida, Joey Veerman and Donyell Malen took their place. Veerman was benched after only 35 minutes, while Malen scored an own goal. The Dutch have now complicated their own faith as they can face Group B winners Spain, Group C winners (currently England), or Group E winners (currently Romania), but only after all these games they will know who they are expecting. Austria have lost their last seven matches against the Netherlands, their longest current run of defeats against a single opponent but today they made up for it with another great display. They have also qualified for the knockout stages of the European Championship for the second consecutive edition after reaching the round of 16 at Euro 2020.The series of own goals in this EURO continued today and rose to number seven when Donyell Malen put the ball in the wrong net after only six minutes of play. Ironically, it was a ‘combination’ of Borussia Dortmund’s players, as it was Sabitzer who crossed the ball before his teammate from club football put it in his own net. The Dutch tried to secure an equalizer as quickly as possible, but it was not that easy against a tough and organized Austria side. Reijnders should have scored in the 14th minute but made a mess in the penalty area and Malen took a shot (to the right goal this time) minutes later, but the ball whistled near the left post. Austria had a great opportunity in the 38th minute, but Bart Verbruggen made a double save.🚨🚨| GOAL: SABITZER GIVES AUSTRIA THE LEAD!!!Netherlands 2-3 Austria pic.twitter.com/QcA7sbjHLO— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) June 25, 2024 Due to Veerman’s poor display, Xavi Simmons was introduced after only 35 minutes and his great pass at the beginning of the second half allowed Gakpo to score after a great strike. But Austrians again proved their worth and kept plugging in until they took the lead again. The goal was assigned to Schmid, but it was De Vrij’s deflection which put the ball into the net. It should have been regarded as another own goal. But Netherlands brought in their talisman Weghorst and his header assisted Depay to equalize in the 75th minute. But this fantastic game was far from over as Sabitzer used a mistake by the Dutch defence (Van Dijk in particular) and smashed the ball to the far post from a tight angle for a win and the shocking first place.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGETuesday Netherlands – Austria 2-3 (0-1)/Gakpo 47, Depay 75 – Malen 6 (og), Schmid 59, Sabitzer 80/France – Poland (0-0)/Mbappe (p) 56 – Lewandowski 79(p)/22.00: (1.42) England (4.70) Slovenia (9.00)22.00: (2.30) Denmark (3.45) Serbia (3.50)
