NETHERLANDS 2-3 AUSTRIA: Ronald Koeman’s team face an anxious wait to learn their round of 16 opponents at the European Championships after losing their final group game
Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands missed out on the chance to top their group at Euro 2024 after a leaky defensive display saw them beaten by Austria in Berlin.
The three points for Austria, combined with France’s draw with Poland, meant Ralf Rangnick’s side have topped their group. Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski each converted penalties in a 1-1 draw in the group’s other game.
It was former Manchester United loanee Marcel Sabitzer who made the difference at the Olympiastadion. The midfielder scored a late winner as Austria claimed a 3-2 victory, with four of the game’s five goals coming in the second half.
The Netherlands will take on a group winner in the round of 16, though they face a wait before discovering who that will be. They could end up against England, who can secure top spot in Group C by beating Slovenia.
Going into the final group match, The Oranje were still in with a chance of topping the group after beating Poland and drawing with France. However, they were a goal adrift at the break after Donyell Malen put through his own net.
Koeman’s half-time team-talk appeared to have done the job, with Cody Gakpo levelling things up moments after the restart. Austria were back ahead just before the hour mark, though, with Romano Schmid on target.
A topsy-turvy game took another twist when Memphis Depay equalised, temporarily bringing the Netherlands above their opponents in the as-it-stood table. However, Marcel Sabitzer fired home a third for Ralf Rangnick’s Austria, who could have made the result even safer had a Michael Gregoritsc effort not been chalked off for offside.
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The Netherlands, who were eliminated in the round of 16 at Euro 2020, won their first game against Poland after falling behind early on. They followed it with a goalless draw against France, and France’s failure to beat Poland meant three points for the Dutch would have seen them top the group.
Austria began with a defeat against Les Bleus. However, back-to-back victories against Poland and The Netherlands saw them finish on six points with France on five, The Netherlands on four and Poland bottom with just one. They will face the runner-up in group F in the next round.
The Netherlands’ draw with France saw Xavi Simons’ goal disallowed for a contentious offside call. “If it’s offside, then you don’t need to spend five minutes touching your ear,” manager Koeman said after the game. “I don’t understand this. If you have this much doubt, you give a goal!”
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