Austria landed their first win on the second matchday of the highly competitive Group D. The team, dubbed the secret favorites by many, defeated Poland 3:1 in Berlin.
21.06.2024, 19:56
21.06.2024, 20:12
SDA
The Austrians, who started the tournament with a lot of praise, were under a lot of pressure in the match against Poland after their opening defeat against France and ahead of their final group match against the Netherlands. German coach Ralf Rangnick's team withstood this pressure, even if they did waver at times.
Especially after Krzysztof Piatek's equalizer, the game could have gone either way - both the Poles and the Austrians had chances to take the lead. However, it was the latter who scored the decisive goal after 66 minutes in the person of Christoph Baumgartner. After being played in by substitute Alexander Prass, the Leipzig midfielder shot from 16 meters out, leaving Wojciech Szczesny in the Polish goal with no chance to defend.
Twelve minutes later, captain Marko Arnautovic secured the win. The 35-year-old scored from the spot after Szczesny had fouled Marcel Sabitzer. Gernot Trauner, who replaced Kevin Danso in central defense, had already put Austria ahead with a header after nine minutes and a perfect cross from Philipp Mwene.
It was an eminently important victory for the Austrians. With three points, they still have everything in their own hands ahead of the final group game. For Poland, on the other hand, their second defeat in their second match means that the final round is likely to be over after the group stage.
Poland - Austria 1:3 (1:1).
Berlin. - 69'455 spectators. - SR Meler (TUR). - Goals: 9. Trauner 0:1. 30. Piatek 1:1. 66. Baumgartner 1:2. 78. Arnautovic (penalty) 1:3.
Poland: Szczesny; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Piotrowski (46. Moder), Zielinski (87. Urbanski), Slisz (76. Grosicki), Zalewski; Buksa (60. Lewandowski), Piatek (60. Swiderski).
Austria: Pentz; Posch, Lienhart, Trauner (59. Danso), Mwene (63. Prass); Baumgartner (81. Schmid), Seiwald, Laimer, Grillitsch (46. Wimmer), Sabitzer; Arnautovic (81. Gregoritsch).
Remarks: Cautions: 53rd Slisz, 56th Wimmer, 62nd Moder, 64th Lewandowski, 70th Arnautovic, 78th Szczesny.
