
Audio By Carbonatix
Merih Demiral scored twice - including the quickest knockout-stage goal in European Championship history - as Turkey stunned Austria 2-1 to set up a quarter-final with the Netherlands.
This was arguably the best game of the tournament so far, a thrilling winner-takes-all tie played in pouring rain at a frenetic pace, with both teams roared forward by their fervent support.
From Demiral’s first goal in the first minute to a stunning save by Turkey goalkeeper Mert Gunok to deny Austria an equaliser in the last, there was barely time for the crowd to draw a breath.
Turkey set the tone for what was to come when they opened the scoring with just 57 seconds on the clock. Arda Guler's corner was not cleared and Demiral pounced from close range to send their fans packed inside Leipzig's Red Bull Arena into raptures.
Just before the hour mark, the same duo combined again. With Austria piling on the pressure, a rare foray forward resulted in another Guler corner that the 6ft 4in centre-back Demiral rose to powerfully head home.
It brought the same deafening response from the stands and sparked wild celebrations on the touchline from Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella and his squad.
There was still work to be done. Austria had not managed a shot on target in the first half but were much improved after the break and pulled a goal back when Stefan Posch flicked on Marcel Sabitzer's corner and substitute Michael Gregoritsch was unmarked to turn the ball home at the far post.
Ralf Rangnick's side, who have won many admirers in Germany for their enterprising high-intensity play, poured forward in search of an equaliser but, whatever they tried, they found the Turkey defence resolute.
Austria are on their way home while Turkey are into their first Euros quarter-final since 2008. Now they head for Berlin, where they face the Dutch at the Olympiastadion on Saturday.
Latest Stories
-
Cultural values key to tackling floods in Ghana – NCC boss
2 minutes -
Africa Governance Centre strengthens ties with Latin America at COPPPAL plenary in Mexico City
16 minutes -
GMTF, Tamale Teaching Hospital tighten partnership to accelerate lifesaving care
50 minutes -
QNET calls for intensified action against organised fraud and trafficking in West Africa
51 minutes -
Ghana not returning to bond market yet despite early debt settlements — Theo Acheampong
57 minutes -
Architectural choices contributing to Accra’s flood crisis – Expert warns
1 hour -
QNET touts EOCO partnership as key tool in fight against trafficking and online fraud
1 hour -
QNET renews commitment to EOCO partnership in combating human trafficking and Model Q criminal networks
1 hour -
Normalising flood risk is worsening Accra’s vulnerability – JoyNews Jacqueline Ansomah Yeboah
1 hour -
Governing The Rain: Flood risk, institutional failure, and the politics of urban infrastructure in Accra
1 hour -
KGL Foundation brings free health screening to Bolgatanga, promotes early disease detection
1 hour -
‘I didn’t think it was a foul’: Trump says he asked FIFA president for review of controversial red card
2 hours -
Trump confirms he asked Fifa to review Balogun ban
2 hours -
WAFCON 2026: Morocco aim to break final barrier after two final appearances
2 hours -
WAFCON 2026: Algeria ready to challenge Africa’s elite
2 hours