This match had an epic quality throughout and was decided by a moment that will enter Turkey’s football folklore.
They were clinging on to their lead amid rain, smoke, excruciating whistles and a barrage of Austrian pressure when Alexander Prass looped a long, deep cross towards the far post in hope rather than expectation. It arced to Christoph Baumgartner, who had pulled away from his man and hung high in the Leipzig sky, and the next thrilling act seemed set. There was little wrong with the header, directed downwards and skipping sharply up. How Mert Gunok, the Turkey goalkeeper, reacted to paw the ball up and wide is a thing of wonder and, after one last corner was seen off, the celebrations could start.
Written by Nick Ames at the Leipzig Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/02/demiral-double-takes-turkey-past-austria-and-into-quarter-finals under the title “Gunok miracle save keeps Austria at bay after Demiral sparks frantic Turkey win”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
