Austria defeated Poland 3-1 on Friday, thanks to a strong second half display that gave them optimism for the Euro 2024 knockout stage. Marko Arnautovic, Christoph Baumgartner, and Gernot Trauner all registered goals.
The Austrians, who had lost to France in their opening match, pulled out a valiant first-half rally that saw Poland tie the score and almost take the lead before losing badly in the second half against Poland.
Despite the fact that top scorer Robert Lewandowski was still doubtful about being able to start, Polish supporters continued to light flares and created a cloud of smoke that drifted towards the goal that Austria had guarded in the first half while they sang the national anthem.
That was as near as the Poles would get in the opening exchanges, as Austria dominated possession and took the lead in the ninth minute with numerous attempts up the left wing.
From the beginning, Philipp Mwene‘s long throws posed a threat, and after nine minutes, Austria’s first was scored when one of them was headed back into the path of the left back, allowing Trauner to score with a powerful header into the top corner.
But around the half-hour mark, Poland tied the score thanks to a poor clearance attempt by Austria from a corner. Jan Bednarek’s attempt was stopped by Trauner, and Krzysztof Piatek was able to control the rebound and put it in the net.
In stoppage time in the first half, Austrian custodian Patrick Pentz had to make an incredible one-handed save. When Lewandowski finally joined the game on the hour, Polish hopes were briefly raised but immediately destroyed.
In the 66th minute, Austria scored their second goal, which was elegant in its simplicity. They went from playing from right to left, and then Alexander Prass found Baumgartner with a precise pass. The midfielder’s smooth finish left Wojciech Szczesny with no chance.
Then, after 78 minutes, Marcel Sabitzer broke through the middle, leaving Szczesny no option but to knock him down. Arnautovic then hammered the ensuing spot kick low to the keeper’s left, making it 3-1 and giving the Poles a mountain to climb.
If France avoids defeat by the Netherlands later on Friday, Poland will not be able to finish in the top two, even if they still have a chance to advance to the knockout stage.
In their last group match, Austria takes on the Netherlands in Berlin on Tuesday in Dortmund, while the Poles play France.
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