Turkey Stuns Austria with Thrilling 2-1 Victory at Euro 2024
Leipzig, Germany - In a stunning turn of events, Turkey defeated Austria 2-1 at the Euro 2024 championships, advancing to the quarter-finals with a thrilling match that came down to the wire. Merih Demiral scored twice, including the fastest goal in European Championship knockout stage history, while Mert Gunok made a spectacular stoppage-time save to secure the win.
Demiral's first goal came just 57 seconds into the game, setting a new record for the quickest goal in the knockout stages. Austria struggled to recover, with Marko Arnautovic missing a crucial chance to equalize. Demiral struck again just before the hour mark, heading in a corner from Arda Guler.
Austria pulled one back through substitute Michael Gregoritsch, but Gunok's incredible save in the final moments denied Christoph Baumgartner an equalizer, sending Turkey to the quarter-finals to face the Netherlands. The win was a stunning upset, given Austria's 6-1 victory over Turkey in March. Ralf Rangnick praised Gunok's save, likening it to Gordon Banks' famous stop in the 1970 World Cup.