Poland became the first team to be eliminated from the Euro 2024 Championship, after a 3-1 defeat to Austria Friday evening worsened by the latter game of the night that saw Netherlands and France play out a goalless draw.
Austria netted two late goals through Christopher Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic to end the Pole’s run whose last group game against France was only academic on Tuesday.
Auatria will face Netherlamds at the same time Tuesday evening, needing to avoid a defeat to be guaranted passage into the round of 16 stage.
Austria and Poland lost their first games respecrively in the group and knew that another loss would only put them on the brink of elimiation.
Gernot Trauner directed his header superbly from a fine cross by Phillipp Mwene and the ball flew into the Polish net.
Poland introduced Robert Lewandowski in the second half after missinig his country’s first game due to a nagging thigh injury.
They did equalise through Krzysztof Piatek who reacted quckest to the ball through e rebound after Jan Bednarek’s shot was initally blocked by the Austrian defence.
Austria found inspiration and Mauro Arnautovic’s trickery let Baumgartner to advance to the edge of the area, before he coolly slotted past Wojciech Szczesny.
Auatria sealed their victory through Arnautovic who converted from the penalty spot after Marcel Sabitzer bore down on goal before he was brought down by goalkeeper Szczesny.
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