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Agence France-Presse

Merih Demiral was Turkey’s unlikely hero with both goals in a 2-1 win over Austria on Tuesday that booked their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
The Al-Ahli centre-back smashed home after just 58 seconds and produced a towering header on the hour mark to double Turkey’s lead.
Michael Gregoritsch quickly pulled a goal back for Austria and only a stunning save from Mert Gunok denied Christoph Baumgartner a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage-time.
Turkey advance to face the Netherlands in the last eight in Berlin on Saturday.

Austria had emerged as dark horses to go far on the perceived weaker side of the draw after topping a group including France and the Netherlands.
Ralf Rangnick’s side had also thrashed Turkey 6-1 in a friendly in March, but this time they failed to recover from a nightmare start.
Real Madrid’s Arda Guler was a constant threat to the Austrian defence and his teasing delivery from a corner caused chaos inside the first minute.
Baumgartner’s clearance off the line hit teammate Stefan Posch, goalkeeper Patrick Pentz clawing it out to Demiral, who lashed into the roof of the net for the second fastest goal ever at a European Championship.
Turkey’s raucous fans exploded in a deafening celebration, but they were nearly brought back down to earth straight away.
Baumgartner fired inches wide form the edge of the box before Demiral somehow prevented the RB Leipzig midfielder from scoring at his home ground as a dangerous Austrian corner flashed across goal.

Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said that absent captain Hakan Calhanoglu, who was missing due to suspension, was “irreplaceable”.
However, Guler assumed responsibility in the playmaking role and nearly produced a stunning second for his side with an audacious attempt from the halfway line that drifted wide.
Only Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands have had a higher winning percentage in European football since Rangnick took charge of Austria two years ago.
The former Manchester United boss made two changes at half-time, including the introduction of Gregoritsch, who scored a hat-trick when the sides met three months ago.
Rangnick got the reaction he desired as Austria began cutting through the Turkish defence.
Gunok spread himself brilliantly to deny Marko Arnautovic when one-on-one before Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer lacked the finish to a fine run through the middle.
However, they failed to learn their lesson from Guler corners as another inviting delivery was powered home by Demiral.
In doing so the 26-year-old became the first European defender to score twice in the knockout stages of a major tournament since Lillian Thuram for France at the 1998 World Cup.
It was also a set-piece at the other end that got Austria back in the game seven minutes later.
Posch flicked on Marcel Sabitzer’s corner for Gregoritsch to sweep high into the net.
A torrential downpour could not drown out a sensational atmosphere in Leipzig, with Turkey’s huge expat population in Germany again making it like a home game for Montella’s men.

The fervent atmosphere turned sour as Sabitzer was struck by an object thrown from the crowd as he prepared to take a corner.
Baris Alper Yilmaz was denied a third for Turkey by a fine save from Pentz in stoppage-time.
That nearly proved crucial as Gunok then had to produce a remarkable stop to prevent Baumgartner’s downward header finding the far corner.
It was an incredible save reminiscent of England keeper Gordon Banks’ iconic stop from Pele in the 1970 World Cup.
But Turkey stood firm amid an aerial bombardment from Austria to reach the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2008.


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Euro 2024

Euro 2024: Turkey edge thriller thanks to Merih Demiral double, ending Austria’s run

Turkey’s Merih Demiral celebrates scoring their first goal against Austria at the Leipzig Stadium. Photo: Reuters 

Turkey’s Hakan Calhanoglu celebrates with teammates after the match in Leipzig on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters 

 Austria’s Stefan Posch looks dejected after the match on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters 

Turkey fans in Istanbul celebrate after their team held on to win. Photo: Reuters

Euro 2024: Portugal reach quarter-finals after shoot-out win over Slovenia

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saves a penalty during the shootout against Slovenia, in Frankfurt, Germany on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo after missing a chance to score against Slovenia at the Frankfurt Arena. Photo: dpa

Portugal fans react during the penalty shoot-out against Slovenia on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Euro 2024: Netherlands hit their best form to reach first quarter-final in 16 years

Netherlands’ Donyell Malen celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal in Munich. Photo: AP

Dutch supporters watch the Euro 2024 match against Romania in Beekbergen, the Netherlands. Photo: ANP / AFP

Romania’s Radu Dragusin (front) and Xavi Simons of the Netherlands fight for the ball. Photo: AP

Euro 2024: Spain come from behind to thrash Georgia and set up quarter-final with Germany

Spain’s Nico Williams celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal against Georgia at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Cologne, Germany on Sunday. Photo: AP

Georgia’s Guram Kashia fails to block Spain’s Nico Williams, left, from scoring his side’s third goal past Georgia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Photo: AP

Spanish fans react at the end of the Euro 2024 match against Georgia at the Cologne Stadium in Cologne, Germany on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fights for the ball against Spain’s Rodri in Cologne, Germany on Sunday. Photo: AP

Euro 2024: Belgium own goal breaks tie, sending France into quarter-finals

France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after beating Belgium in Dusseldorf, Germany on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Belgium supporters cheer their team after losing to France on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Belgium’s Kevin de Bruyne reacts after losing to France in Düsseldorf on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Randal Kolo Muani of France fights for the ball with Belgium’s Wout Faes, right, in Düsseldorf, Germany on Monday. Photo: AP

France fans celebrate after the match in Düsseldorf on Monday. Photo: Reuters 

Sport

Football

Austria had emerged as dark horses after topping their group, but Turkey progress to last eight to face Netherlands


Austria had emerged as dark horses after topping their group, but Turkey progress to face Netherlands.


The Netherlands

Turkey

Germany

Portugal