Austria revive their Euro 2024 campaign with a 3-1 victory over Poland
Austria secured their first victory at Euro 2024, a 3-1 win over Poland in Berlin to boost their hopes of reaching the last-16 in Germany.
Gernot Trauner, Christoph Baumgartner, and Marko Arnautovic found the net for Ralf Rangnick’s Austria against Poland, giving them hope of progressing from Group D ahead of their crucial final group match against the Netherlands on Tuesday evening.
Austria began the match at a blistering pace, with their aggressive attacking approach paying dividends within the first 10 minutes. Philipp Mwene delivered a pinpoint cross to the near post, where Trauner expertly guided a header into the net.
Poland responded as the half progressed, with Nicola Zalewski firing a shot over the bar and Philipp Lienhart making a crucial block from Piotr Zielinski. Przemyslaw Frankowski’s cross to the near post was also thwarted by Lienhart.
Poland leveled the score on the half-hour mark. A cross from the left caused chaos in the penalty area, and after Jan Bednarek’s shot was blocked by Trauner, Krzysztof Piatek pounced to slot home the equalizer.
The Polish fans were energized by the introduction of star striker Robert Lewandowski with 30 minutes remaining, but Austria quickly regained the lead. Alexander Prass delivered a sweeping pass, which was cleverly dummied by Arnautovic and finished by Baumgartner.
The victory was sealed in the 78th minute when Marcel Sabitzer was fouled by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the box. Arnautovic, formerly of Stoke and West Ham, coolly converted the penalty to ensure Austria took all three points and reinvigorated their Euro 2024 aspirations.
