Austria’s aggressive and hard-running attitude carried them into the round of 16 of the European Championship on Tuesday, with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Netherlands securing not only their passage but also first place in Group D. The Dutch also advanced as one of the four best third-place finishers despite conceding an early own goal, putting on a lackluster first half performance, and falling victim to a sucker punch when Marcel Sabitzer scored for Austria 10 minutes from time.
With France beaten to a 1-1 draw by Poland in the group’s other game in Dortmund, Austria leads the table with six points, one more than second-placed France on five and the Dutch on four. Austria will next face the Group F runners-up, which will be determined on Wednesday, while France and the Netherlands await the identities of their last-16 opponents.
Austria took a stunning lead at the Olympiastadion when Donyell Malen put the ball into his own net six minutes into the contest, but Cody Gakpo leveled soon after. In a see-saw second half, Romano Schmid put Austria ahead again just before the hour, with Memphis Depay equalizing in the 75th minute. It was up to Sabitzer to conclude a determined performance by Ralf Rangnick’s side and lead them to a surprising victory in the group, whose final standings altered numerous times during the 90-minute match.
Malen’s tragedy occurred when he made his first start in the tournament in Germany, sliding in to try to intercept a cross from the left by Alexander Prass but hitting it with such force that the ball flew past his own custodian, Bart Verbruggen. Malen could have made amends for his mistake in the 23rd minute, but he shanked his effort wide after misjudging a wonderful pass that split the Austria defenders and allowed him through with just goalie Patrick Pentz to beat.
With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Joey Veerman was replaced by Xavi Simons due to Dutch concerns about losing important midfield duels and frequent possession turnovers. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman was hopping up and down from his bench, irritated, as Austria’s strong pressing forced his players into numerous blunders. Austria could have gone 2-0 up before the break, causing the Dutch innumerable issues. Verbruggen made a great save to stop Marcel Sabitzer’s stinging strike before getting a touch to deny Marko Arnautovic a shot on goal.
A terrible match, in all respects. We started weakly in possession and duels. Then you are behind the times, said Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk.
