Turkey stun fancied Austria 2-1 to reach Euro 2024 quarter-finals

Turkey's Merih Demiral (2nd L) celebrates his side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 soccer match between Austria and Turkey at the Leipzig Stadium. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

Merih Demiral made European Championship history as part of a brace as fighting Turkey stunned fancied Austria 2-1 on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2008.

Demiral opened the scoring after 57 seconds for the fastest goal ever in a Euros knock-out match, and nodded the second in the 59th, both off corner kicks from young star Ardar Güler.

Substitute Michael Gregoritsch pulled one back in the 65th but Austria failed to level despite sustained pressure in Leipzig as their strong run came to a sudden end, with Turkey goalkeeper Mert Günok making a sensational last-gasp save against Christoph Baumgartner.

Austria had impressed in the group stage with victories over Poland and the Netherlands, and had thrashed Turkey 6-1 in a March friendly, but all that was to no avail on a rainy night in Leipzig - where coach Ralf Rangnick and several of his players have a history at local club RB Leipzig.

Boosted by their large fan base, Turkey held on for a famous victory and advanced into a quarter-final against the Netherlands on Saturday in Berlin.

There they will be without Ismail Yüksek and Orkun Kökcü due to suspensions, after playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu and Samet Akaydin had missed Tuesday's match for the same reason.

Turkey's Merih Demiral (C) scores his side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 soccer match between Austria and Turkey at the Leipzig Stadium. Robert Michael/dpa
Turkey's Merih Demiral (R) celebrates his side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 soccer match between Austria and Turkey at the Leipzig Stadium. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
Austria's Konrad Laimer (below) and Turkey's Merih Demiral lie on the pitch during the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 soccer match between Austria and Turkey at the Leipzig Stadium. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
Turkey's Merih Demiral (2nd R) celebrates after his goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 soccer match between Austria and Turkey at the Leipzig Stadium. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
Turkey's Merih Demiral scores their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 soccer match between Austria and Turkey at the Leipzig Stadium. Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa

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