Turkey's success - on to the next round after Demiral's double

Two corners. Two Merih Demiral goals. The centre-back became an unexpected hero when Turkey defeated Austria 2–1. Now, a European Championship quarter-final against the Netherlands awaits.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 02 2024

Turkey's success - on to the next round after Demiral's double
Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP/TT

Share this article

Two corners. Two Merih Demiral goals.

The centre-back became an unexpected hero when Turkey defeated Austria with 2–1.

Now awaits the European Championship quarterfinal against the Netherlands.

57 seconds.

No longer than that did it take before Demiral had scored 1–0 in the European Championship round of 16 in Leipzig. An Arda Güler corner was lifted into the penalty area and after a decent flipper play, the ball ended up with the centre-back who clipped it in. A Turkish dream start and a stand that erupted in joy.

The first half continued intensely with chances for both teams, but without any further goals.

In the second half, Austria then stepped up the pace and created more and more chances. Striker Marko Arnautovic, among others, got a golden opportunity, but goalkeeper Mert Günok cut off the angle well and saved.

Nodded in 2–0

Instead of an equalizer? 2–0 to Turkey.

A new Arda Güler corner gave another Merih Demiral goal. This time, the 26-year-old – who normally plays for Saudi Arabian al-Ahli – nodded the ball in and got the big Turkish stand to cheer.

Austria's response would come quickly, and again it was after a corner. The lively substitute Michael Gregoritsch pushed in an Austrian reduction and the match heated up even more.

"Gordon Banks in goal"

Austria then pressed for an equalizing goal against a Turkey that fell deeper and deeper. Right at the end, goalkeeper Günok made a phenomenal save when he saved Christoph Baumgartner's header from close range.

Two-goal scorer Demiral couldn't believe his eyes:

It's one of the best saves I've ever seen. He (Günok) is the oldest in the team and very experienced, and I'm very happy for his sake, says Demiral to the European Football Association's website uefa.com.

Austria's national coach Ralf Rangnick compared Günok to England's golden goalkeeper from the 1966 World Championship:

We had enough time to equalize, but it's hard when they have Gordon Banks in goal.

For Turkey, the Netherlands await in the quarterfinal, which will be played on Saturday. Then the team will get back star and captain Hakan Calhanoglu, who was suspended in this match.

Friday at 18.00: Spain-Germany (Stuttgart).

Friday at 21.00: Portugal-France (Hamburg).

Saturday at 18.00: England-Switzerland (Düsseldorf).

Saturday at 21.00: Netherlands-Turkey (Berlin).

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Bayern's Uli Hoeness Criticizes Premier League's Billion-Spending Spree
1 MIN READ

Bayern's Uli Hoeness Criticizes Premier League's Billion-Spending Spree

Swedish Football Agents Investigated for Organized Crime Links
1 MIN READ

Swedish Football Agents Investigated for Organized Crime Links

How to Watch Tre Kronor's Olympic Ice Hockey Matches
1 MIN READ

How to Watch Tre Kronor's Olympic Ice Hockey Matches

Ugandan Running Stars Kiplimo and Cheptegei to Miss World Championship
1 MIN READ

Ugandan Running Stars Kiplimo and Cheptegei to Miss World Championship

Djokovic Advances to US Open Semifinal, Faces Alcaraz Next
2 MIN READ

Djokovic Advances to US Open Semifinal, Faces Alcaraz Next

Sabalenka Advances to US Open Semifinal After Vondrousova Withdrawal
1 MIN READ

Sabalenka Advances to US Open Semifinal After Vondrousova Withdrawal

Chris Froome's Crash: Wife Reveals Life-Threatening Heart Injury
1 MIN READ

Chris Froome's Crash: Wife Reveals Life-Threatening Heart Injury

Smederna Secure First Leg Win in Swedish Speedway Semifinals
1 MIN READ

Smederna Secure First Leg Win in Swedish Speedway Semifinals

Carlos Alcaraz Advances to US Open Semifinals with Win Over Lehecka
2 MIN READ

Carlos Alcaraz Advances to US Open Semifinals with Win Over Lehecka

Polish CEO Apologizes for Taking Signed Cap from Boy at US Open
1 MIN READ

Polish CEO Apologizes for Taking Signed Cap from Boy at US Open

Norwegian Athletes Face Challenges with Gender Testing for World Championship
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Athletes Face Challenges with Gender Testing for World Championship

Swedish Coach Marcus Tjärnberg Suspended for Six Matches After Chokehold Incident
1 MIN READ

Swedish Coach Marcus Tjärnberg Suspended for Six Matches After Chokehold Incident

Tobias Gulliksen Transfers from Djurgården to Rapid Wien
2 MIN READ

Tobias Gulliksen Transfers from Djurgården to Rapid Wien

Elias Ymer Skips Davis Cup Match Against Tunisia to Focus on Schedule
3 MIN READ

Elias Ymer Skips Davis Cup Match Against Tunisia to Focus on Schedule

ITTF Confirms Petra Sörling's Re-election Amid Election Dispute
1 MIN READ

ITTF Confirms Petra Sörling's Re-election Amid Election Dispute

Alexander Isak Thanks Newcastle After Transfer to Liverpool
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Thanks Newcastle After Transfer to Liverpool

Biathlon Official Anders Besseberg's Appeal Denied, Faces Prison Sentence
1 MIN READ

Biathlon Official Anders Besseberg's Appeal Denied, Faces Prison Sentence

Sven-Göran Eriksson's Manor Price Reduced Again
1 MIN READ

Sven-Göran Eriksson's Manor Price Reduced Again

Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak's Summer Transfers Stir Debate
3 MIN READ

Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak's Summer Transfers Stir Debate

Hammarby Transfers Jusef Erabi to Genk
1 MIN READ

Hammarby Transfers Jusef Erabi to Genk