Ralf Rangnick’s Austrian team achieved an impressive victory in the difficult European Championship Group D, upsetting title favorites France and the Netherlands to secure the top spot in the group. The Austrians defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in a thrilling match, with BVB professional Marcel Sabitzer scoring the winning goal in the 80th minute. Meanwhile, France also failed to secure a win against Poland, allowing Austria to finish the preliminary round in first place and advance to the round of 16 for the second consecutive time.
The match between Austria and the Netherlands took place at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, where an own goal by Donyell Malen gave Austria an early lead. Despite a quick equalizer by Cody Gakpo for the Netherlands, goals from Romano Schmid and Memphis Depay kept the game intense. Sabitzer’s late goal secured Austria’s victory and their placement at the top of the group.
Before the match, the city center of Berlin was filled with orange-clad Dutch fans, as around 20,000 supporters marched to the stadium to support their team. The Austrian fans, numbering around 8,500, also gathered to celebrate their team. Despite the overwhelming presence of Dutch supporters, it was the Austrian fans who had reason to cheer at the end of the match.
Throughout the game, Austria maintained a strong offense and repeatedly challenged the defensively vulnerable Dutch team. Despite some missed opportunities, the Austrians managed to secure a hard-fought victory. The Dutch supporters, who had high expectations for their team, watched in silence as Austria emerged victorious.
In the end, Rangnick’s team’s determination paid off, securing a historic victory and a spot in the round of 16. The match was a testament to Austria’s strength and resilience on the European Championship stage.