Marcel Sabitzer’s late strike saw Austria edge a five-goal thriller against the Netherlands and send them through to the knockout stage of Euro 2024 as Group D winners.
Ralf Rangnick’s well-organised and impressive side were twice pegged back in an entertaining contest in Berlin but Sabitzer had the final say 10 minutes from time.
A Donyell Malen own goal gave Austria an early lead with Romano Schmid putting them back in front after a Cody Gakpo leveller.
Memphis Depay scored the Netherlands’ second equaliser but it was not enough as Austria leapfrogged both them and runners-up France, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in Dortmund.
Austria were rewarded for a bright start after just six minutes as Malen turned the ball into his own net from a low Alexander Prass cross.
The Netherlands struggled to respond with Tijjani Reijnders slicing well wide and Malen badly spurning a chance to atone when he scuffed a shot.
Austria continued to look the more dangerous with Sabitzer having an effort blocked and forcing a save from Bart Verbruggen. Florian Grillitsch also tested the keeper before Marko Arnautovic fluffed a good chance.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman sent Xavi Simons on to reinvigorate his side after just 35 minutes and it paid off when his break led to Gakpo’s fine equaliser.
The Dutch were not level for long as the impressive Schmid got on the end of a fine Grillitsch cross to power in a header, via a deflection.
The Netherlands pulled level again when Depay controlled a nod down from Wout Weghorst and fired in, with an initial ruling he handled being overturned by VAR.
But Austria were not done and hit back once again as Sabitzer found space on the left of the area and then smashed a powerful shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
There was still time for Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner to have a goal disallowed for offside and Weghort to send a diving header over the bar, but it was the side ranked 25th in the world who finished top of Group D on six points, with the Netherlands progressing as one of the best third-placed teams.
The game’s big moments…
Austria took the lead when Donyell Malen diverted a cross into his own net in the 6th minute
Cody Gakpo equalised for the Netherlands immediately after the break
Romano Schmid restored Austria’s lead in the 59th minute
Memphis Depay’s fine finish brought the Netherlands level for a second time
Marcel Sabitzer’s 80th-minute strike was the difference in Berlin
Who faces who in the last 16?
Austria will face the runners-up of Group F (currently Turkey) in the last 16, with France facing the runners-up in Group E (currently Belgium).
The Netherlands’ next opponents are not yet confirmed. They could face Group B winners Spain, Group C winners (currently England), or Group E winners (currently Romania).
Once the four best third-placed teams have been determined, UEFA then allocates each nation to a last-16 tie in line with its regulations.
How does ranking third-placed teams work?
The top two teams from each of the six groups will proceed to the round of 16.
Those 12 sides will be joined by four of the six third-placed finishers in the groups. The sides finishing third will be placed into a league table, with the top four sides progressing to the last 16.
The teams that finish third in their respective groups are ranked in order of the following criteria, starting with:
- Points
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Wins
- Lower disciplinary points total
- European Qualifiers overall ranking
The tournament then moves to a straight knockout format, with one-legged ties – including extra-time and penalties if necessary – until two sides reach the final on July 14 in Berlin.
