AUSTRIA POWER PAST POLAND AND LEWANDOWSKI IN THRILLING ENCOUNTER
Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic struck late on as Austria boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 3-1 victory over Poland in Berlin.
In a Group D clash billed by both coaches as win or bust, Ralf Rangnick’s Austrians roared out of the traps and took a ninth-minute lead courtesy of Gernot Trauner’s fine header from a Phillipp Mwene cross.
Poland responded and levelled when Krzysztof Piatek pounced upon a rebound to stab home on the half hour mark.
There was a relentless pace throughout an end-to-end contest with The Poles hoping the introduction of talismanic forward Robert Lewandowski from the bench would help swing it their way in the second half.
However, it was Austria who took charge with Baumgartner brilliantly finishing off a slick move past the hour before Arnautovic made sure of the points with a penalty 12 minutes from time.
The result sees Austria move level on points with leaders France and Netherlands who meet later this evening. Poland are rock bottom and will be unable to finish in the top two if the French avoid defeat later.
Next up, Austria face Netherlands on Tuesday while Poland meet France as Group D comes to a climax.
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